Plymouth Palmerston Forts Stage C: Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements Woodland Fort, Knowles Battery, Bowden Battery and Fort Austin

Prepared for: City Council and English Heritage

Revision Schedule

Plymouth Palmerston Forts Strategy for the Northern

May 2011

Scott Wilson Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by 15th Floor McLaren Building 01 April 2011 First Draft Andrew Harris Barry Woodfin Annette Roe Associate Principal Consultant Director 46 The Priory Queensway Birmingham B4 7LR 02 May 2011 Final Draft Andrew Harris Barry Woodfin Annette Roe United Kingdom Associate Principal Consultant Director

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Contents Vulnerability 49 Issues 51

1. Introduction 2 6. Individual Site Statement: Knowles Battery 58 Scope of Project 2 History and Role 58 Scope of Stage A and B Studies 2 Description 58 Stage C Report Format 3 Use and Ownership 58 2. Plymouth’s Northern Palmerston Fortifications - A Strategic Vision 4 Condition 58 Significance 58 Historical Development Context 4 Issues 60 A Fortified Plymouth 5 Public Access Opportunity 60 Summary 15 7. Individual Site Statement: Bowden Battery 65 3. Conservation Management Recommendations 17 History and Role 65 Summary of Issues 17 Description 65 Towards a Conservation Strategy Planning Policy 18 Use and ownership 65 Conservation Policy Recommendations 20 Condition 65 4. Use and Development Recommendations 22 Significance 67 Development Options Summary 22 Development/Public Access Opportunity 67 Northern Public Access Strategy 23 Issues and Considerations 69 Other Considerations 28 8. Individual Site Statement: Fort Austin 73 Future Use and Management Strategy 32 History and Position 73 Funding Strategy 34 Description 73 Development and Public Access Recommendations 38 Ownership and use 75 5. Individual Site Statement: Woodland Fort 41 Condition 75 History and Role 41 Significance 75 Description 41 Development Opportunity 75 Significance 45 Other Issues and Considerations 77 Condition 46 Development Opportunity 47 Management and Operation 47

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1. Introduction 1.5 It is the purpose of this document, therefore, to present the scope of development options that will assist in realising the community (in 1.1 Plymouth City Council commissioned URS/Scott Wilson to its widest sense) and conservation value for Plymouth’s Palmerston undertake a strategic review of Plymouth’s Palmerston Fortifications, forts. Moreover, views need to be formed based on the strategic especially the Northern Fortifications, and to prepare action plans position of the forts as an interrelated group of historic monuments to address any conservation and management issues identified. that present an integral part of the city’s history.

1.2 The terms of reference and scope of the study are outlined in 1.6 The investigation process has been concerned with providing the the Brief for Consultants, with the aim to develop a clear strategy background and baseline position upon which informed proposals for securing the future for Plymouth’s Northern Palmerston can be made. The evidence included presents the historical Fortifications, in the context of the wider ring of contemporary background to the Palmerston Forts and assesses the nature fortifications which surround the city. In addition, it is intended that and extent of their significance. It explores issues that might be the study inform planning and conservation policy and proposals common to the group that could affect opportunities for use and for the areas in which the forts sit. In particular, it is to be used to examines these in the context of other contemporary fortifications. inform emerging Local Development Framework documents. The conservation needs of the assets and management issues are also assessed, as are the potential opportunities for inclusion of 1.3 The study has been undertaken in three principal stages starting the assets as part of the Derriford and Seaton Area Action Plan first at the strategic scoping level (Stage A) developing an and within the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Development Plan evidence base, and then subsequently concentrating in more detail Documents. to prepare a strategy for consideration of the northern defences (Stage B); and finally a series of individual action plans for specific 1.7 In accordance with the brief, specific attention is given to the locations (Stage C) Northern Fortifications, their condition, planning context and future use options. The recommendations are required to take account Scope of Project of the opportunities both in economic and amenity terms that these assets represent, whilst at the same time ensuring a proper 1.4 Plymouth’s Palmerston Forts are assets of historic significance, approach to the conservation and management of the monuments potentially able to contribute to community welfare, regeneration, themselves. and the broader townscape of the settlements in which they reside. Many of these heritage assets are classified as being at risk either Scope of Stage A and B Studies through under use or inappropriate management. Potential new uses as part of neighbourhood regeneration proposals, alongside 1.8 The recommendations presented in this document have been appropriate conservation of the monuments, present an opportunity devised through a detailed assessment of the conservation needs, for the assets to become focal points in the neighbourhoods, management issues, threats and vulnerabilities of each of the contributing to a sense of place and providing public amenity value. forts. Likewise, the direction for development for the forts is based on a rationalisation of the condition, location, management and market issues. These are identified in more detail in the Stage A

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and Stage B reports: report will present the following:

• Stage A study - The Stage A Strategic Scoping Study represents • A Strategic Vision - an overview of Plymouth’s fortifications, their an over-arching scoping study that sets the scene for all of design, and heritage value. Over-arching recommendations and Plymouth’s defences. Specific attention is given to the current actions are made in relation to the Northern Fortifications to status and condition of the Northern Fortifications as a group better conserve and strategically integrate the forts as a ‘theme which in turned presented the basis from which additional of interest’ for residents and visitors to the city. studies associated with Stages B and C were conducted. • Individual Fort Statements - more detailed statements on the • Stage B study - Recommendations made within the Stage A conservation needs and management requirements for Knowles study in relation to the Northern Fortifications were considered Battery, Woodland Fort, Bowden Battery, and Fort Austin. These in greater detail within the Stage B study. The Stage B strategy sites have been identified through the investigation process report focuses more specifically on each of the individual sites, as having greatest need and scope for specific conservation, identifying and assessing their significance, condition and development and/or management needs. These statements future uses as well as other matters such as setting, natural include specific actions for enhancement, restoration, and greater environment and future management. The Stage B report use of these sites to improve sustainability. includes specific recommendations in respect of policies to safeguard the role of the forts and explores matters such as the drafting of opportunities for future use and development to be considered within LDF documentation, funding arrangement and partnerships. 1.9 Although this report has been prepared to act as a stand-alone report covering the salient points of the Stage A and Stage B studies, it is recommended that the reports associated with these stages are referred to in order to gain a more detailed understanding of the issues covered.

Stage C Report Format 1.10 The Stage C report is the culmination of the Stage A and B process. The report presents the recommendations, actions and management needs of Plymouth’s Northern Forts. In order to capture both the strategic value of Plymouth’s Northern Forts as a collective within Plymouth and the sites as individual entities with activity, conservation and management interests, the Stage C

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2. Plymouth’s Northern Palmerston Fortifications ‘‘“to enquire into the state, sufficiency and condition of the Fortifications existing for the Defence of our United King- - A Strategic Vision dom and an examination had into all works at present in progress for the improvement thereof, and consideration 2.1 The fortifications across Plymouth are intrinsically linked. They given to the most efficient means of rendering the same were originally developed as a means of protecting Plymouth, complete, especially all such Works of Defence as are its people, and its naval docks; which in turn was strategically provided for the protection of Our Royal Arsenals and important for the protection of the South West region, the United Dockyards’’. Kingdom, its population, and its interests overseas. As such, any report concerning the protection and future use of these sites 2.5 The Commission looked specifically at the defence of the principal needs to consider not only the value of the heritage in situ, but also naval yards located at Plymouth, , and the Medway. its wider linkages. The Commission was to look into the design of a defence system that would: 2.2 The following ‘Strategic Vision’ for Plymouth’s Northern Forts seeks to present this broader strategic context in order to establish • a) enable a small body of troops to resist a superior force, or the over-arching approach to maximising the heritage and amenity • b) enable partly trained bodies of men to contend successfully value of the sites both individually and collectively. This culminates with those more perfectly disciplined than themselves. in a series of recommendations and actions to better conserve and strategically integrate the forts as a ‘theme of interest’ for residents 2.6 The Commission considered the defences of each of the major and visitors to the city. naval yards. The destruction of Chatham Naval Base by the Dutch in 1667,d an the subsequent threat to London still created fearful memories. Furthermore, the French were investing in their naval Historical Development Context presence at Cherbourg; and at just fifty miles south of Portsmouth 2.3 The fortifications developed in Plymouth were designed to have an was regarded with some alarm. integral role not just in the defence of the coast of the South West but as part of a strategically integrated coastal defence system of 2.7 Ultimately, the Commission considered that the defence of Britain. The following section examines in more detail the strategic each of the major naval yards was paramount. The following list position of Plymouth in terms of the other coastal defence systems. demonstrates the naval yards within this remit and the amount of It also examines the condition of these forts and their existing uses. monies that the commission allocated to each for its defence:

The 1859 Commission • Plymouth - £3,020,000 2.4 A major review of Britain’s defences was undertaken by a Royal • Portsmouth - £2,800,000 Commission set up under the instruction of Lord Palmerston in 1859. The Commission was set up ‘to consider the Defences of • Chatham - £1,350,000 the United Kingdom’ and was specifically charged: • Pembroke - £765,000

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• Woolwich - £700,000 defence system that not only has links with other fortifications in the UK, but also internationally. This wider role and integration of • Portland - £630,000 the different Palmerston forts and defence systems can often be • Medway - £450,000 forgotten or overlooked when focussing on a single site. • Dover - £335,000 A Fortified Plymouth • Thames - £180,000 2.12 Plymouth’s Forts formed part of a wide network of fortifications defending Plymouth and the South West. To the west, in , • Cork - £120,000 the western defences comprised major forts at Tregantle, 2.8 The relative importance of these sites reflected both their Scraesdon and Mount Edgcumbe, interspersed with batteries and geographical proximity to the enemy and their strategic significance. lesser emplacements which were located on high ground defining As a counter to developments at Cherbourg, Plymouth’s position in a defensive circuit to command the west approaches to Plymouth the South West was regarded as key to the defence of the western Sound and the . approaches. 2.13 To the east, the Staddon Heights defences comprising Fort 2.9 Whilst not all of the original plans were fulfilled, a significant Stamford and Fort linked by road to the central major proportion of the defence system was established, with Plymouth, position at Fort Staddon command the eastern approaches to Portsmouth, and Chatham (along with other measures along and the Plym estuary (see Map 1). the Thames Estuary) being the key focal points. The forts were positioned in a manner that would present an integrated ‘ring of 2.14 When the 1859 Commission looked at the defence of Plymouth it fire’ to repel any invading forces. divided the problem into two aspects, first, the measures necessary to prevent a naval attack, and second the landward defence of the 2.10 The UK also had a number of interests abroad. The key Dockyard. The Commission concluded that there were basically positions were those in the Mediterranean specifically Gibraltar, four areas from which the Dockyard could be attacked and Corfu, Cyprus and Malta. During the Crimea War, the strategic recommended that these locations be fortified: importance of Malta as both a supply base and advanced base for the expeditionary force was realised and at the same time its • The Peninsula between the St Germains River and the sea, weaknesses became apparent particularly in its ability to defend which the Commissioners called the ‘Western Defences’ against a land-ward attack on the naval dockyard and arsenal. • The Peninsula between the Tamar and St Germains rivers, the In common with other Palmerston era reviews the proposal was ‘Saltash position’. initially to provide a concentric ring of detached forts to defend these approaches. • The area inland of Plymouth between the Tamar and the - the North-Eastern or Northern Position. 2.11 The value of highlighting these other fortification complexes is • The area between the Cattewater and the Sound - the ‘Staddon to demonstrate that Plymouth’s Forts form part of much broader Position’.

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2.15 Having considered a number of scenarios for the defences, the was built around the central principal fort at Fort Staddon linked key fortification sites that were eventually developed in Plymouth by defended military road to smaller forts at Fort Stamford to the consisted of the following. north and Fort Bovisand to the south. The southern extent of the line was additionally provided with batteries at Staddon Point and Drakes Island Watch House. 2.16 Drakes Island which is located within the Sound has been fortified 2.22 The Eastern Defences are located in a rural location to the south since at least the 16th century and it was substantially refortified east of Plymouth. Although Fort Stamford is located within as part of the Palmerston review to comprise a new casemated Plymouth District, Fort Staddon and Fort Bovisand are located position with high angle battery, extensive underground rooms, within South Hams District. and barracks. 2.23 Fort Stamford, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is in private 2.17 Drakes Island fortification is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) ownership and intensively used as a leisure complex with the and in addition the barracks are a Grade II listed building. parade occupied by ‘park homes’. The location of the fitness centre is within the eastern . 2.18 The fort was vacated by the MoD during the 1960s, and was used initially as an outward bound centre until closure in 1968. The 2.24 Staddon Fort, which was the principal fort within the lines, is island is currently in private ownership. presently an undesignated heritage asset though clearly worthy as being designated as a SAM in common with all of the other Breakwater Fort Palmerston Forts in the Plymouth area. The fort is very well 2.19 Breakwater Fort forms part of the inner defences to Plymouth. The preserved and remains in MoD use with the parade ground Fort, which is located behind the 1850s breakwater, is a SAM. It is occupied by a communications mast. The ramparts are mostly currently in a vacant condition, but as with Drakes Island, the range clear of vegetation and remain particularly legible. Land in front of of potential uses is constrained by the lack of land access. the Gorge to the west is in use as a golf course (Staddon Heights Golf Club established in 1904) and there are modern buildings and 2.20 It should be noted that, within Portsmouth, two such site have been a club house and parking immediately in front and to the side of subject to regeneration – Spitbank Fort (currently being developed the fort. into a luxury venue for private parties, weddings, and conferencing) and No Mans land Fort (previously a luxury home/hospitality centre 2.25 Fort Bovisand comprises a long range of casemated battery with for high-paying guests, although its future is unknown at present). arched reinforced with wrought iron plates. The fort However, the constraints to development of such fort sites are is in relatively good condition and occupied by a naval diving magnified by access issues in particular. school. However it is believed that this use may soon end and the fort become redundant. The fort and the vacant Staddon Heights The Eastern Defences battery are classified as a SAM. 2.21 The Eastern Defences consist of a line of fortified positions that overlook the eastern approaches to the Sound. The Staddon Line

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The Western Defences 2.30 The fortification structures that were subsequently established along this line were Ernesettle Battery, Agaton Battery, Knowles Battery, 2.26 The Western Defences are located in Cornwall and defended the Woodland Fort, Fort, Bowden Battery, Forder Battery, south approaches to the sound from the west. The fortifications Eggbuckland , Fort Austin, Efford Fort, Efford Emplacement, comprise a number of battery positions with a principal fort at Battery and Laira Emplacement (see Map 2). Fort Tregantle at the west extent. Some of these forts including Tregantle remain in military use which is generally sympathetic in Fort Design nature. 2.31 The Marquis of Montalembert published his seminal work La 2.27 Polhawn Fort, a Grade II* listed building has been successfully Fortification Perpendiculaire in 1778 and in this he set out an converted for a wedding venue and hotel use. Fort and entirely new method of defensive structure based on providing Fort Picklecombe have both been converted to residential use. overwhelming frontal fire on any besieging army. Although his Likewise, Tregonhawke Battery is in use as holiday accommodation. ideas did not gain universal support did nonetheless from about 1800, build a series of early casemated positions along the The Northern Defences coast between Montreuill and Dunkirk including casemated barrack 2.28 The need for landward defences of Plymouth arose from the steady accommodation at Boulogne and Gravelines and at expansion of the city over the centuries and the rapid developments Ostend. in the range of . The dockyard was already protected from 2.32 The Marquis’ preference for a simple polygonal plan without the the east by the Devonport lines, but these consisted of basic need for geometric began to gain favour, and his ideas earthworks around gun positions and their value had already been were explored and developed further in the 1850s by research eroded by the houses that had encroached around them and the undertaken by Major Jervois, assistant to the Inspector General of greater range that artillery now possessed. The Commission’s Fortifications, General Burgoyne. recommendation, therefore, was for a series of landward facing forts, the ‘Northern Fortifications’ - a ring of 11 fortified positions 2.33 The development and increasing usage of the pointed and explosive from Ernesettle in the west to Laira and Efford in the east with shell which had been proven to reduce masonry structures to rubble a central fortified position at Crownhill and a defended keep at gave rise to a widespread review of coastal defence sites. In 1844, Eggbuckland. existing batteries and fortifications around the major ports and harbours were re-armed with the latest gunnery and re-fortified with 2.29 In the mid-late 19th Century, the land acquired in Eggbuckland and low earthen banks and capped with earthen ramparts so to absorb Parish for the construction of the northern defences the explosive effect of the new shells; forts along the Medway, was primarily rural in character and largely undeveloped. Inter and Thames and Solent had their exposed masonry flanks reinforced by post war expansion of Plymouth has resulted in the fortifications wrought iron plates. now being located within residential areas, the former military road having been retained as a major trunk road. 2.34 In 1859, W E Armstrong, who had long been experimenting with rifled guns, was able to gain approval from the Fortifications Committee

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for the manufacture and use of his new rifled breech loading guns Design and Form Layout of Plymouth’s Northern Forts (RBL). The advantage of breech loading over muzzle-loading was 2.38 Each of the forts is different in its detailed design to take advantage that it enabled both a quick rate of fire as well better protection for of both its strategic and topographical position within the defensive the gun crew during re-loading. However, although Armstrong’s line. Despite these differences there is nonetheless a series of breech-loading guns met with some approval they were not features which are common to all of the forts representing the best universally accepted and the army continued to use rifled muzzle- of military thought and planning at the time. loading guns (RML) until the 1880s. 2.39 The forts are all approached from the rear and entered through 2.35 Although rifling significantly increased the accuracy of naval the which projects forward of the gorge wall. At Agaton gunnery, the traditional timber warship still remained vulnerable Fort, Knowles Battery and Bowden Battery the approach is through to sustained attack from a well armed battery. However the an entrance arch alongside which is a defended guardhouse. The dominance of the coastal battery was soon to be threatened by the ditch in front of the gorge was crossed by means of a arrival of the iron clad warship. The first iron clad warship was a and the mechanism for this is evident particularly at Bowden French vessel, La Glorie launched in 1858 and followed soon after Battery and Woodland Fort. by the launch in 1860 of Brunel’s HMS Warrior. For the first time warships were now better equipped to withstand coastal fire. The 2.40 The parade, which is accessed through the entrance arch, is a realisation was that now for the first time a land invasion was not large open space and buildings are generally arranged around its only possible but achievable. edges. A common feature of the parade is the planting of lime trees around the perimeter and these have been retained at both 2.36 Iron clad steam driven vessels enabled a more rapid crossing of the Woodland Fort and Crownhill Fort. Channel than had been previously possible. The worry was that a French invasion fleet would be able to cross the channel before being intercepted by a massed British fleet and that furthermore Ditch and ramparts the use of iron clad barges would afford some protection to the 2.41 The outer perimeter of the forts is defined against a ditched soldiers within. . There are variations in detailed design for instance the ditch at Knowles Battery did not include the gorge whilst at Fort 2.37 These worries over an invasion still persisted despite an improvement Efford and Laira Fort their elevated locations determine that the in Anglo-French relations arising out of the alliance that was forged ditch was not provided to all sides. The ditch was used not only to during the Crimea War of 1853-1856. The illustrated defend the forts but, as at Knowles Battery, Bowden Battery, Efford both the capabilities of steam barges to make an effective landing; Fort and Laira Fort, projects beyond the line of the forts to provide and the ability of well defended coastal fortifications such as those a fully integrated defensive system which also included elements at Sebastopol and Sveaborg to successfully repel a sea borne of the military road (Fig 1). attack from the massed allied fleets. 2.42 The ditch is cut 30ft deep into the rock and is of near vertical sides with a flat bottom (Fig 2). In several locations where additional

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stability was required the ditch was provided with a built stone and instances of this are clearly shown on the War Office plans of the 1890s.

2.43 The rampart to the rear of the ditch is an earthen structure that was raised to provide a bomb proof covering to the various galleries, passages, magazines and barrack blocks. It also provided a platform upon which the guns were mounted in open battery. At Crownhill Fort a stone parapet was raised on the scarp of the ditch at the base of the rampart and provided a chemin de rondes with musket gallery that encircled the entire perimeter. At other forts, and particularly well preserved at Fort Austin, an un-defended berm was maintained between the ditch and rampart.

2.44 The rampart was accessed from the parade either by ramped Fig 1: War Office plan showing defensive positions at Bowden Battery access as at Crownhill Fort and Woodland Fort or as in most other cases by means of stairs as at Bowden Battery, Laira Battery, Efford Fort and Fort Austin.

Gun positions 2.45 The open gun emplacements comprised concrete positions, their front faces covered in earth. A small square opening within the emplacement is referred to as an expense magazine and was used to store a small quantity of munitions ready for firing. Fully casemated magazines were provided at intervals along the rampart and were serviced from the main magazine buried within the rampart.

2.46 The forts were each armed with a range of gun types, sometimes later to be modified and re-armed. Most of the forts had a least one flanking gun mounted within an earth covered emplacement

Fig 2: The base of the ditch at Fort Austin known as a haxo-. Haxo- are particularly well preserved at Crownhill Fort and Woodland Fort (Fig 3). At Laira Fort three guns were mounted in a continuous haxo-casemate. A haxo-casemate was also provided at the Laira Emplacement.

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Fig 3: Haxo-casemate at Woodland fort: Top: Exterior; Bottom: interior Fig 4 (Top): ‘A’ Pivot emplacement at Woodland Fort and War Office specification showing 7 inch RML on A Pivot slide Fig 5 (Bottom): ‘C’ Pivot emplacement Bowden Battery and War Office specifica- tion showing 64pdr RML on C Pivot slide

2.47 The guns were mounted on a traversing platform or slide set Moncrieff was installed at Crownhill Fort and on curved racer rails allowing the gun to be traversed in an arc. is evidenced by a deep concrete faced emplacement. The War There are broadly two types of position evident in the Northern Office records identify that several of the forts were intended also Forts (others are recognised elsewhere) and these are denoted by to be armed with mortars. These are typically mounted in positions the pattern of their racers. The A pivot comprises two concentric on the lower slope of the rampart accessed by vaulted passage racers without a pivot (Fig 4). The C pivot comprises a single and steps from within the fort. As well as those at Crownhill Fort continuous racer around a central pivot position (Fig 5). The

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well preserved positions are evident at Bowden Battery and support. At the lower level they also commonly provide a sally port Fort Austin. to enable troops to enter the ditch.

Caponiers and other positions 2.49 A similar defensive position was provided by the counter-scarp gallery. This is a masonry structure set into the counter-scarp 2.48 The specification for each of the forts determined that the ditches (front face) of the ditch. At Fort Austin and Woodland Forts it were to be enfiladed by caponiers mounted within the ditch. is located at the junction of the front and flanking ditches so to Caponiers are masonry structures that project into the ditch thereby enfilade both locations (Fig 7). Similar positions known as flanking providing fire along the length of the ditch (Fig 6). The caponiers galleries, primarily for muskets were located in strategic locations are accessed by means of passageways through the rampart at Crownhill Fort and Efford Fort. At Crownhill Fort a passage and comprise two or three storey structures typically including extends forward from the counter-scarp to an outer ditch with embrasures for a traversing gun as well as musket loops for close flanking gallery that was provided to defend Drakes Leat a source of water supply to the city. At Efford Fort the flanking gallery is

Fig 6: at Crownhill Fort Fig 7: Counter-scarp gallery at Fort Austin

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positioned within the ditch that extends to the flank beyond the gorge towards Efford Emplacement.

2.50 The gorge wall defends the rear approach to the forts. It is a substantial masonry structure built upon the scarp of the ditch in front of the rampart. The gorge is provided with musket loops along much of its length with access provided by a Chemin de Rondes (Fig 8). A continuous Chemin de Rondes is evident at Crownhill Fort but within the remainder of the forts the Chemin de Rondes was confined to the gorge - as at Woodland Fort and Fort Austin, for example.

2.51 Entrance to the fort was by means of a gatehouse. These comprised a central vaulted carriage arch with defended guard chambers to each side. The at Woodland Fort and Fort Austin are particularly well preserved. The gatehouses are often embellished Fig 8: The Gorge wall and Guardhouse at Knowles Battery with architectural form. At Crownhill Fort, this has been designed in the Romanesque style. The gatehouses were provided with a drawbridge the mechanism. This has been retained at Woodland Fort.

2.52 Knowles Battery and Bowden Battery had a simple entrance arch flanked to one side by the guardhouse, a defended position similar in all respects to the gatehouses elsewhere within the group. More elaborate arrangements for defending the entrance through the gorge by means of flanking guardhouses and other positions are evident at Fort Agaton, Efford Fort (Fig 9) and Laira Fort.

Barrack blocks and magazine 2.53 The barrack block is typically a casemated structure set within the rampart. At Crownhill Fort and Woodland Fort these comprise two storey buildings with a balcony to the upper floor. At all other locations the barrack block is a single storey range set within Fig 9: Entrance arch with glancing guardhouses at Efford Fort, viewed from inside the rampart. The architectural form typically comprises a broad the fort

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arch into which are set flat arched windows and doors, often in a is another school of thought that the defence systems created tripartite composition as is evident at Efford Fort, Fort Agaton and around the naval bases presented a significant deterrent and that Laira Fort. opposing forces feared any invasion would itself prove ‘folly’.

2.54 The main magazine is a casemated position, its external 2.58 It is arguable that the lack of military ‘theatre’ surrounding the architectural composition being broadly similar to that employed on forts has added to the subsequent lack of interest in the heritage the barracks. The internal arrangement comprises a large central concerning the individual sites over time. As a result, many vaulted chamber with side passages and ancillary spaces provided sites have fallen into disrepair or have been taken over by other with a vertical shaft linked to the magazine located upon the rampart. (sometimes unsympathetic) forms of use. However, collectively, At Fort Austin, Knowles Battery and Bowden Battery the magazine the fortifications of Plymouth, when combined with those in was located adjacent to the guardhouse / gatehouse. Recesses Portsmouth, Chatham, and Milford present a significant part of the built into the walls to house lamps are evident at Woodland Fort. reason why there has not been a successful invasion of Britain since 1667. Other ancillary structures 2.59 Of these three principal locations, Portsmouth has been the most 2.55 As well as the main barracks and magazines the forts were variously successful in determining a heritage product and a brand around provided with additional buildings comprising cookhouses, general its defences - The Defence of the Realm - although Chatham stores and carriage stores as denoted on the War Office Plans. and the Medway too has a growing reputation for naval heritage. These buildings are often detached and free-standing arranged Moreover, the Palmerstonian forts are being utilised to help around the edge of the parade. An extensive suite of stores and interpret the respective stories at these locations. other buildings is retained at Crownhill Fort. 2.60 To date, Plymouth’s forts lack the same gravitas as sites of 2.56 A cookhouse and store are built against the gorge at Agaton Fort heritage access from which both residents and visitors can gain whilst at Woodland Fort the cookhouse is fully detached and set a greater ‘sense of place’ in relation to Plymouth’s development on one side of the parade. The building is of a single storey with a as a settlement. Nevertheless, as this study has demonstrated, veranda on its long side and a pitched slate roof. At Efford Fort there Plymouth’s fortification sites are as complete and in as good a is a large single storey armaments shed with curved corrugated general condition as those within Portsmouth. metal sheet roof which is similar in extent similar armament sheds at Crownhill Fort. 2.61 In addition, the story around the defence of Plymouth is as important to the ‘defence of the realm’ as Portsmouth is. For instance, both Summary Portsmouth and Plymouth have similar defensive rings and the 2.57 The Palmerston Forts were established to protect the coast of forts of the Gosport lines bear similarities to Plymouth’s northern Britain from invasion. Technically speaking, the forts were never defences in that the lines were designed as an integrated system, used for the purpose that they were designed for, hence they have with each fort or position being supported by its neighbour. There through history been dubbed the ‘Palmerston Follies’ on account of is also similarity in fort design, each characterised by an open the significant expense incurred to develop them. However, there

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parade, casemated positions and earthern rampart and caponiers. There is also much similarity in the design of barrack blocks at Fort Brockhurst in Portsmouth and Crownhill Fort in Plymouth.

2.62 The principal difference between the two areas is that, whereas Plymouth appears to have allowed market conditions to determine how the forts have been developed since disposal by the MoD, in the case of Portsmouth both the City Council and Hampshire County Council managed to take a more comprehensive look at the heritage significance and potential of the fortifications and opportunities for reuse at a relatively early stage.

2.63 The result for Plymouth has been the ad hoc disposal of the sites, leading to each fort having a variety of different uses. Many of these uses would not usually be seen as being conducive to fortification sites, particularly nowadays. However, the sites have been adapted over time to a position where these uses have, in fact, allowed more of the forts to be retained rather than would otherwise have been possible. Moreover, the uses have ensured that the forts have not, on the whole, fallen into a condition of disrepair that has deemed then to be in a ruinous state - a fate that has bestowed other forts of this type elsewhere in the country.

2.64 Nevertheless, it has also meant that the forts have lacked systematic investment to retain their historical integrity and local cognisance as part of the heritage fabric of communities. It is this aspect of the current position of the Northern Fortifications that this study has sought to address.

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3. Conservation Management Recommendations 3.5 It is recommended, therefore, that proposals which retain heritage values should be encouraged and, in cases of business planning or Summary of Issues redevelopment, opportunities for enhancement of both the existing and ‘under threat’ heritage values should be promoted. 3.1 The investigation process has identified a number of issues that are common to all the fortifications. Key issues concern matters 3.6 Although each fort has a heritage value in its own right, the true such as heritage conservation ecology, management and viability significance of the fortifications as part of Plymouth city’s heritage of use. The issues were explored fully in the Stage B report and only becomes clear once the forts are viewed as a whole. Therefore, the key findings are summarised below. as well as the individual heritage value, it is important that the forts are considered in relation to their collective value. From a strategic Statutory Designation perspective, it is also recommended that any future development 3.2 All of Plymouth’s Northern Forts are designated SAMs, with associated with one site be reviewed against the implications that Eggbuckland Keep grade II* listed. In terms of the SAMs, the it could have for others (or all) of the fortification sites. extent of the designation varies to include the entire fort and or is defined only to include the ramparts and associated Condition and Use structures. In some cases the scheduling description was found 3.7 Although the forts are in use, underuse of historic key structural to be ambiguous with the result being that some historic buildings components is giving rise to concerns regarding their long term within the fort appeared not to benefit from statutory control. future. The guardhouse and gatehouse are structures that appear to be particularly vulnerable to underuse, whilst the caponiers and 3.3 In other instances there was evidence to suggest that the need associated structures are at risk arising from abandonment. for statutory consent for works was not always appreciated by site managers. In these circumstances, designation of some structures 3.8 Despite some identified constraints to use, it is generally as listed buildings would give rise to a consenting regime the deemed possible for the gatehouses in particular to present a mechanisms of which would be familiar to most site managers or ‘townscape’ amenity and, in some instances, a usable space that their agents. In this respect, it is recommended that the statutory contributes to the viability of the site (see Use and Development basis on which the forts are currently managed be reviewed. Recommendations). Where possible, these gatehouses should be brought back into a viable use as a means of improving their Conservation and Retention of Heritage Values condition long-term. 3.4 The Northern Forts are heritage assets. Although all of the forts are in some form of occupancy and use, historic components such Maintenance as the guardhouses and caponiers remain unused with a threat to 3.9 Although routine maintenance is being undertaken across the their long-term heritage value. In other cases, it is the intensity group, its nature and scope varies. Those parts of the forts that of current use that is of potential threat to their long-term heritage are in regular use are generally well maintained. However, the values. size and complexity of most of the forts represents a challenge to both owners and occupiers. Income and costs are major factors

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in determining an appropriate level of maintenance. Where 3.14 Because conservation and development policies within PPS 5 possible, it will be important to encourage improved maintenance apply to all heritage assets, control extends to those elements of the sites across the board, however financial assistance may that currently fall outside of the scheduled area. It is for this be required on occasion for this to be delivered. In instances reason that PPS 5 is an appropriate basis on which to formulate where maintenance activities are likely to be duplicated between a conservation strategy for management of the Northern Forts. several forts (e.g. vegetation clearance), it is recommended these respective forts be grouped together to improve economies of Conservation Principles scale. 3.15 In 2008, English Heritage published ‘Conservation Principles policies and guidance’. Within this publication English Heritage Towards a Conservation Strategy Planning Policy promote 6 key principles of good conservation. 3.10 The statutory framework in respect of development control and obligations concerning the management of SAMs is The Ancient • The historic environment is a shared resource. Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act of 1979 which sets • Everyone should be able to participate in sustaining the historic out a number of provisions in respect of the need for consent for environment. works that affect SAMs. • Understanding the significance of places is vital. 3.11 Each of Plymouth’s Northern Forts is a SAM and thus is subject to • Significant places should be managed to sustain their values. the statutory controls brought about by this designation. The extent • Decisions about change must be reasonable, transparent and of the ‘Scheduled’ area varies from site to site and the scheduling consistent. entry is quite specific in what is excluded. Consequently, certain historic elements fall outside of statutory control. • Documenting and learning from decisions is essential. 3.16 Whereas PPS 5 provides the policy context for management of 3.12 A more holistic approach to the historic environment has been the forts, these six conservation principles are to form the basis brought about by the publication of PPS 5 which addresses that underlies the management approach to be adopted. These issues pertaining to the management and conservation of six principles are to be applied to all conservation management heritage assets. Elements that make up the historic environment decisions that affect the heritage values and significance of the are called ‘heritage assets’ and this term includes all heritage assets. features whether designated or not. Heritage assets comprise SAMs, buildings, buried archaeological sites, parks and gardens, sites and landscapes. Significance 3.17 The significance of heritage assets is determined and assessed in 3.13 Whilst the PPS does not replace the obligations set out in statute, consideration of their heritage values. These values are defined it does nonetheless set out the current views of Government in ‘Conservation Principles’ and are broadly carried through to and English Heritage on matters of development control and PPS 5 where they are identified as heritage interest. The values conservation of the historic environment. (interests) that give rise to significance comprise:

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• Evidential (archaeological) – the potential to enhance 3.21 In addition to expanding upon the policy requirements of the understanding PPS, Section 6 of the practice guide provides specific guidance on making changes to historic assets. This section of the guide • Historic – association with people or events addresses issues such as repair and restoration and examines • Aesthetic (architectural and artistic) – interest derived from best practice in respect of each of these interventions. aesthetics or design 3.22 In developing a conservation strategy to be implemented across • Communal – the meanings of a place to those who use it the group, it is recommended that all management decisions are 3.18 The aim of government policy as set out in PPS 5 is that the made in full cognisance of the policy requirements of the PPS significance of heritage assets should be identified, sustained and and its practice guide with specific regard to guidance in section enhanced. The English Heritage practice guide states that this 6 of the practice guide. can be done by ‘supporting their maintenance and by requiring that change to them is managed in ways that sustain and where Appropriate Levels of Conservation appropriate enhances their heritage significance’. 3.23 Each of the forts and their associated structures require works of conservation and repair to varying degrees. In these Conservation Objectives and Practice circumstances it is not appropriate to dictate across the group, 3.19 The English Heritage practice guide sets out a number of key to what degree works of conservation, repair or restoration objectives in meeting the policy requirements of the PPS and these should be undertaken. A more appropriate approach is that the general considerations are to underlie the approach to be taken conservation needs of the forts and their associated structures in respect of the understanding, management and conservation should be determined in accordance with a set of general approach to be adopted in respect of the Northern Forts. conservation policy recommendations. Having determined a general conservation approach the detailed conservation needs 3.20 Whereas much of the PPS is concerned with Development of individual assets should then be considered in respect to its: Management the associated practice guide contains statements of more general application in respect of the management and • proposed and existing use; retention of significance. Key sections address matters including: • significance; • Assessing the significance of assets; • accessibility; • Heritage benefits; • authenticity and legibility; • Design; • public and heritage benefit; and • Archaeological and historic interest; • future maintenance inputs, cost and viability • Setting; • Recording and understanding; and 3.24 A full and comprehensive restoration of the assets is likely to involve reinstatement of much new work with a potential to harm • Public engagement.

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heritage values and significance. A full restoration of this sort Statutory Designation is not being proposed other than where there are particular English Heritage and the Local Planning Authority should circumstances that such an approach can be justified in respect undertake a review of the statutory designations that of the conservation or better revealing of heritage values and currently apply to Plymouth’s Northern Fortifications. public benefit. The cookhouse at Woodland Fort is one structure where an approach of this sort might be appropriate. Engagement with site owners 3.25 Rather, it is recommended that the processes of decay should be Plymouth City Council and English Heritage to engage with identified and halted, with the main requirement primarily involving site owners to promote conservation and good management the removal of vegetation and the prevention, or management of the forts. of future vegetative growth. Areas of particular structural decay whereby the structure is at risk will be addressed and localised Principles regarding works to heritage assets repair or strengthening introduced if necessary. Proposals for works of repair or alteration to historic assets should be prepared to take into account the principles of Conservation Policy Recommendations good conservation as documented within Section 6 of the 3.26 The following conservation policies are recommended as a PPS 5 English Heritage Practice Guide means to ensure appropriate management and conservation of Plymouth’s Northern Forts. The policies offer a series of general Authorisation of Works guidelines and principles that are recommended to Plymouth English Heritage and Plymouth City Council are to monitor City Council (PCC) and English Heritage for adoption. Specific works to the forts and ensure that all appropriate and policies relevant to individual forts will be developed as part of necessary consents have been approved. the ‘Individual Fort Statements’. Retention of heritage values Understanding the Asset Works of repair, alteration or extension to heritage assets A full understanding of the asset, its historical development should only be undertaken if these would sustain, retain or and significance should be made prior to any programme better reveal the heritage values of the asset. of conservation, alteration or extension. Understanding the asset would normally entail historical research and building Reuse of Historic Buildings assessment and may also include invasive examination or opening up works if these would help in providing answers Proposals for the reuse of disused historic buildings will be to specific questions relating to condition or form. encouraged where such use can be demonstrated to retain or better reveal heritage values.

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New Development Proposals for new buildings within the forts will only be considered where it has been demonstrated that the use can not be accommodated within existing historic structures.

New buildings should be sited and designed to sustain or better reveal heritage values

Conservation of Ecological Values A primary bat survey is to be undertaken across the fortification group to determine the extent of bat activity.

Proposals for reuse of building or new development should take into account potential impacts on the ecological resource.

Proposals for vegetative clearance within the forts, upon their slopes and within the ditches should be undertaken in accordance with an approved management plan to safeguard ecological value.

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4. Use and Development Recommendations PCC (as owners of the site) which is not currently formalised. Both of these positions need to be addressed to secure its operation as Development Options Summary a community centre in the long-term. 4.1 Stages A and B of the investigation process was used to examine 4.5 Fort Austin is currently home to Plymouth Community Homes, a series of use and access options for each of the Northern however the lease arrangement is set to expire in the near future. Fortifications. The following presents a summary of the key Despite being considered for a number of alternative uses, the findings. most feasible for the site is for it to continue to be utilised with industrial/office space in mind. Part of the rationale for this solution 4.2 Ownership, operational issues and existing uses restrict the future is that much of the historic fabric of the site has already been development of several of the fortifications, including Ernesettle adapted for this use through the years, meaning that any attempt Battery, Agaton Fort, Knowles Battery, Forder Battery, Eggbuckland to revert the site back to any its former state would be overly costly. Keep, Efford Fort and Laira Battery/Emplacement. However, this Furthermore, site constraints such as size, location and access act does not preclude consideration of the heritage they contain from as constraints for other forms of commercial use. a wider visual, interpretation and the conservation perspective; for example. It is conceivable that each site be included within 4.6 The investigation process has highlighted that there is interest in a ‘Heritage Trail’. Moreover, the visual aesthetics of the sites using the site as a place that presents workspace for either the should be utilised to present a key heritage feature within the arts, digital media, or both. Strategically, these are two sectors neighbourhoods in which they reside. that stakeholders such as the University of Plymouth, Plymouth College of Arts, and Flameworks, for example, are already pursuing 4.3 The sites that represent the greatest opportunity for new through projects such as the Ocean Studios Project. development and activities are those estates owned by the PCC, namely Woodland Fort and Fort Austin. In the case of Woodland 4.7 Initial discussion and site visits with a series of organisations Fort, it is important that the future uses should complement the were undertaken as part of the investigation process. This has important and existing community functions that have been built highlighted that the site could become an attractive propositions up at the centre over time. The Woodland Fort Community Club for these uses subject to certain modifications. From the arts (WFCC) currently manage the site and provide access to other user perspective, the site has prospects of providing for the ‘heavier’ groups for activities such as snooker, table tennis, youth clubs, to side of the arts that involve welding, construction pieces (e.g. set name but a few. construction), and large canvas prints, to name but a few. These would ideally be suitable to the warehouse structures available on 4.4 As a solely volunteer group, the WFCC needs to be commended site. In contrast, the digital media sector would be better suited to for both maintaining Woodland Fort and for presenting the site as a the office spaces already available on site. It is for this reason that, valuable community resource. However, there are associated risks in order to maximise income generation from the space available, it with this operation, not least the voluntary nature of the WFCC and is felt that it would be appropriate to consider accommodating both the nature of the management arrangements between WFCC and uses, or combining with other interested operators such as RIO.

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4.8 One of the key findings of the investigation process is that, despite and highlight options and opportunities for improving access and being the best kept and most interesting of the forts, Crownhill legibility within the townscape of each of the forts. This is needed Fort is not being utilised as a visitor attraction nor is it acting as because the story of the forts only becomes truly appreciable an interpretation centre for the forts as a whole. LMT, as owners once they are viewed collectively. and operators, has operated a visitor centre at the site in the past but a combination of the location of the site and the current lack 4.11 As a result, and in accordance with the findings outlined above, of strength in depth in maritime attractions in Plymouth inhibited it is recommended that the public access at each of Plymouth’s performance making the operation unsustainable. Currently, the Northern Fortification Sites is developed within one of the fort’s public access functions are being orientated towards tours following Tiers: and special events, especially weddings. Although from a strategic perspective this is regrettable given that Crownhill Fort is the • Tier 1 - General front-of-site information board and inclusion ‘flagship’ site on the Northern Line, it is understandable given the within a heritage tour leaflet providing basic information on associated costs and lack of visitor footfall being achieved. the role of each fort. No public access rights to the forts itself, although access to parts of the fort may be possible through 4.9 In contrast, Bowden Battery already has a public (customer) other means (e.g. as part of a nature reserve or other green function as a garden centre. It is estimated that the site attracts space). Certain sites (e.g. Laira Battery/Emplacement) are around 250,000 customers per annum, many of whom also use the to have general access as green or open spaces but with a cafe. On the whole, Plymouth Garden Centre (PGC), the operators heritage interest. of Bowden Battery, are sympathetic to the heritage setting of their • Tier 2 - Community access to certain areas of the site (e.g. commercial operation. Moreover, the PGC are keen to maximise guardhouse) for clearly defined functions, or for specific the ‘interpretation’ value of fort as a means of encouraging new events. These sites will also include a general front-of-site customers, longer durations of stay, and use of an extended and information board and will form part of a heritage tour leaflet (ideally) repositioned cafe. In this respect, there is a prospect of providing basic information on the role of each fort. utilising the cafe jointly as an interpretation centre to tell the history behind each of the northern fortifications and how they collectively • Tier 3 - Public access is encouraged through various initiatives presented a defensive barrier to invasive forces on a landward for a variety of different functions and events. These functions approach. and events will take place at regular intervals and publicised locally and, where relevant, regionally. These sites will also Northern Fortification Public Access Strategy include a general front-of-site information board and will form part of a heritage tour leaflet providing basic information on 4.10 From a strategic perspective, it is clear that three of Plymouth’s the role of each fort. Northern Forts have considerable potential to be utilised for public • Tier 4 - Main Plymouth Northern Fortification interpretation access. These are Woodland Fort, Crownhill Fort, and Bowden site(s) through a dedicated centre(s) that includes interpretation Battery. However, a key purpose of the investigation is to examine of the whole of the Plymouth Northern Fortifications and how they are interrelated.

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4.12 The following section will explore the implications of this tiered Heritage Discovery Trail’, these sites will also become better system, however to summarise the forts that are to be included recognised locally. within each tier are as follows (see Map 3): 4.14 Perimeter trails could also be established, especially where the • Tier 1: fort links into other assets such as a Local Nature Reserve (e.g. Efford Marsh, Forder Valley and Woodland Wood Local Nature • Ernsettle Fort Reserves); or could eventually link in with other developments • Forder Battery supporting public access and engagement with heritage and open • Eggbuckland Keep spaces (e.g. Efford Fort and Laira Battery). In the case of Laira Emplacement, the site could be presented as a green and open • Efford Emplacement space with heritage interest and affording views over the River • Efford Fort Plym.

• Laira Battery/Emplacement Tier 2 • Tier 2: 4.15 Agaton Fort, Knowles Battery and Fort Austin have been identified • Agaton Fort as Tier 2 forts for public access due to their potential to develop the gatehouse which in turn could be presented for community/public • Knowles Battery use. The following provides the rationale behind this premise. • Fort Austin Agaton Fort • Tier 3: • Woodland Fort 4.16 Agaton Social Club, a community centre, is located directly adjacent to Agaton Fort. Although VOSA, the current owners • Crownhill Fort of the site, has indicated that it is reluctant to open the site for • Tier 4: uses other than its own, the guardhouse is currently unoccupied and could be brought into use through some moderate renovation • Bowden Battery works. This could be utilised by Agaton Social Club and/or other Tier 1 local community groups. This premise needs to be explored further as part of a collective programme of bringing these types 4.13 These sites are included in Tier 1 due to the access constraints of heritage spaces into community use. presented by ownership and current uses. The purpose of developing interpretation boards either attached to, or close Knowles Battery to each fort, is to allow the local community and visitors to appreciate the heritage value of these sites despite access 4.17 Knowles Battery already has a community function in terms of constraints. Through their inclusion within a ‘Northern Fort being the location of Knowles Primary School. However, the

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school generally turns its back on the fort in terms of usage at already encompassed within this environmental designation. present. Tier 3 4.18 A potential solution to this would be for the guardhouse to be 4.23 As Tier 3 sites, Woodland Fort and Crownhill Fort already have renovated and re-opened for use as a more general community valuable public access activities. However, there is scope to amenity. One obvious option would be to utilise the site as changing develop this access further. The opportunities associated with facilities for sports groups utilising the playing field directly adjacent each fort are explored in more detail below. to the Fort. This would utilise the lower level area.

4.19 An option for the upper area would be for it to be utilised by the Woodland Fort Plymouth Forts ‘Your Heritage’ project, a project that is seeking 4.24 Woodland Fort already has community access functions activities to utilise Plymouth’s Northern Forts for educational groups. The as provided by the WFCC. As a priority, these are to be retained idea of the project is to help younger school children interpret the and secured through improved management arrangements (see Northern Forts. This will be undertaken by a series of ‘hands-on’ Future Use and Management Strategy). tasks such as building models of the forts and placing them on a giant map at the right location. This latter option would actually 4.25 In addition, there is capacity for the existing functions to be elevate Knowles Battery into a Tier 3 public access site, however complemented by several other activities that have a more the project is still at an early stage of development. commercial focus. This is particularly true should the possibility of reinstating the Old Cookhouse as a usable building and the re- Fort Austin opening of the second gateway to the site be implemented. This in turn will allow more controlled and safer vehicular access to the 4.20 Fort Austin resides within a residential area that is recognised by site. the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Development Plan Documents as having few ‘community amenities’. The prospect of utilising space 4.26 The additional activities could feasibly include: within Fort Austin especially the guardhouse, which is of good size, for community use would therefore be of considerable benefit • a café that is open during the day, utilising the second bar area locally. to support existing day-visitors, users of Woodland Park, and users of the new activities outlined below; 4.21 The availability of the guardhouse will be dependent upon the main use of the site (see below), however this premise should be explored • a children’s play area, with the prospect of the restored Old with the prospective new user groups (namely the arts and creative Cookhouse presenting an opportunity for this type of facility; industries) as part of a collective programme of bringing heritage • band practice and amateur dramatics suites by bringing rooms spaces into community use. some rooms (e.g. the gatehouse) back into use;

4.22 The proximity of Fort Austin to the Forder Local Nature Reserve • small-scale outdoor community events such as jumble sales, car- also presents an opportunity for encouraging public access, with boot sales, small-scale farmers markets, small-scale concerts elements of the fort (i.e. rampart, ditch and counter-scarp gallery) for up-and-coming ‘local’ talent, and outdoor amateur dramatic

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performances; and access and understanding of the fort. The LMT is also strengthening its association with an operations partner, Wedding Matters, to • more indoor sporting activities (e.g. indoor bowls, ballroom deliver more weddings and other forms of social events in the fort dancing) and other fitness-type programmes directly aimed at on a more frequent basis. the more vulnerable elements of the local community. 4.27 Being adjacent to the Woodland Wood Local Nature Reserve, there 4.32 As the flagship site, it is likely that Crownhill Fort will continue to is also an opportunity to utilise the fort as a gateway for wildlife provide the public ‘face’ of Plymouth’s Northern Forts. As such, discovery and learning. there may be scope to improve interpretation of the site overtime (depending upon demand) to a level where it becomes a Tier 4 4.28 Overall, therefore, it is recommended as a strategic aim that public access site. Woodland Fort continue to represent a primary community centre that supports a range of activities and interests for local residents 4.33 One of the key issues facing Crownhill Fort is that, despite its and beyond. Through this provision, it is also recommended position, the site lacks visual awareness. Part of this problem is that other council services concerned with the health, welfare, created by the fact that the glacis, the most ‘visible part of the fort integration and education of society be encouraged to utilise from the A386, is covered by vegetation and thus camouflaging the Woodland Fort as a community-outreach centre in order to directly site from its surroundings. The LMT has highlighted that it would engage with local citizens in need. be beneficial if the landscaping of the site were more beneficial to raising awareness locally, whilst also protecting the surroundings Crownhill Fort from inappropriate development. This is critical to safeguarding the historical integrity of the site given that its primary role was 4.29 Crownhill Fort previously had a more apparent visitor and to defend the northern line from land-based attackers advancing interpretation function through a dedicated visitor centre. from the valley below. Any development within the Derriford and However, the visitor numbers were insufficient to support the costs Seaton Area Action Plan will need to consider its impact on the fort associated with this amenity. As a result, the Landmark Trust on being able to tell this story in the future. (LMT), as operators of the site, decided to rationalise public access to Crownhill Fort through open days, group events, and educational visits. Tier 4 Bowden Battery 4.30 Within each of these categories, the LMT is keen to target more frequent visits than at present. In particular, it is keen to explore 4.34 Bowden Battery is currently considered the only Tier 4 site in terms the potential for tours to operate from the city centre. The PCC of public access. This is largely because the site has the greatest and its partners could assist in this process through publicity and potential of any of the existing sites to operate as the main centre promotion. However, it is recommended that this initiative be for information on the forts. trialled in order to understand the level of demand. 4.35 Operating as a Garden Centre, the site already receives 250,000 4.31 In addition, the LMT will continue its primary role of offering visitors per annum (i.e. garden centre customers). Although the site Crownhill Fort for holiday-lets as a means of generating public already contains a modest café, there is the prospect of a larger

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café to include heritage interpretation. This has been discussed Other Considerations further with the site operator, the PGC, who has indicated that it would be willing to consider this option subject to the operation Heritage Trail using Green Infrastructure being commercially viable. Indeed, the option has been explored 4.38 One of the key observations of the study is that the line of the before but was not pursued due to planning issues. Northern Fortifications generally coincides with part of the proposed sustainable transport corridor within the Plymouth Green 4.36 Subject to a suitable design solution, this type of facility would Infrastructure Plan. place Bowden Battery at the centre of interpreting the Plymouth Northern Forts collectively. It is only by telling the story as a whole 4.39 Discussion with Natural England (NE) has identified that there is that the importance of the area and its forts from a strategic position a synergy between green infrastructure (GI) and the heritage of becomes evident. In this respect, the interpretation should explore the forts. In this respect, the forts have the capacity to be utilised the original function of Bowden Battery and its key fortification as features of interest along the GI corridor. Moreover, the forts features and their importance, whilst also placing Bowden Battery themselves can be used to signpost and act as ‘gateways’ to the GI within the context of the Plymouth Northern Fortifications, and Corridor and associated assets (e.g. the local nature reserves and indeed the overall ‘Ring of Fire’. the proposed Derriford Community Park) within their respective communities. 4.37 Due to the café setting within a commercial operation, the interpretation boards and imagery should be conducive to casual 4.40 The GI corridor would also provide a ‘safer’ and more pleasurable browsing. For the interpretation of Bowden Battery, this should route from which locals and visitors alike can be encouraged to include easy-to-read boards within the café, mock-artillery weaponry explore the forts. Although the military road is largely intact, as an upon the gun emplacements, and some strategically positioned on-road route, cyclists would be competing with other road traffic ‘artist impressions’ of the site during its use as a fortification. For and walkers would have their route impeded by the need to cross the interpretation of Plymouth’s Northern Forts and the Plymouth road junctions. This would be largely avoided through using the ‘Ring of Fire’, a combination of ‘artists impressions’ and written text GI corridor route, thus there is the prospect of an off-road heritage should be explored to depict how the sites would have worked in trail that incorporates each of the fortification sites, supported by a combination to defend and repel either land or sea-based attacks. leaflet guide and at-site interpretation boards. This latter aspect is an important component of the story, yet it is little understood because of the fact that the forts were never 4.41 The Plymouth Green Infrastructure Plan has recently been launched called upon in this manner. The prospect of utilising Bowden and is now in the process of being delivered. It is recommended that Battery to present this story is therefore regarded as a compelling the PCC and Natural England (NE), as stakeholders and partners opportunity. of the Plan, utilise this opportunity to not only realise greater public access to green and open spaces, but also to the Northern Forts as places of heritage importance. This should be in the form of a ‘Northern Forts Heritage Discovery Trail’. This should consist of a leaflet and baseline information on each of the forts, plus a waymarked map of the route and key access points. The full extent

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of this aspiration will need to be explored in association with other are shorter distances means that the potential obstacles to use GI initiatives. such as traffic and road crossings also become less prominent than for the whole trail. 4.42 In addition to the above, it is understood that the scope for development, improving consistency, and associated marketing 4.45 Crownhill Fort is not included within the shorter trails because of and promotion of different trails around Plymouth is being outlined the access constraints from the exiting Military Road. However, as part of the Visitor Management Plan for the city. Discussion trail connectivity is still envisaged via the proposed Green Corridor. with the consultants leading this project, Blue Sail Consulting Ltd, has acknowledged that the opportunity for creating Northern Forts 4.46 Fort perimeter trails are also possible around Woodland Fort, Heritage Discovery Trail has a synergy with the need for ‘Telling Cornhill, Fort Austin, Bowden Battery and Efford Fort. For Stories’ of Plymouth through new and innovative means. This is Woodland, Fort Austin and Effort Fort, these walks would have seen as a key component of an overall plan that is seeking to re- the added advantage of providing access to the associated Local position Plymouth as a city destination. One of the likely priorities of Nature Reserves (see below). The site visits has denoted that this is to ensure that there is a consistency and integration between tracks already exist in certain locations that could be used to the different trails that exist and are currently emerging. As a result, provide these trails. However, consideration will need to be given the action to establish the Northern Forts Heritage Discovery Trail to appropriate access and any potential damage risks associated needs to be closely aligned with any emerging objectives and with increasing access to these sites. actions emanating from the Plymouth Visitor Management Plan. Heritage and Ecology Conservation Mini Heritage Trails 4.47 As is highlighted elsewhere, the forts not only concern heritage 4.43 In addition to the main Northern Forts Heritage Discovery Trail, conservation but also ecological conservation. This relationship is certain forts can be grouped to provide mini community trails that certainly apparent in respect of Woodland, Fort Austin and Effort are circular in nature. The natural configuration of the trails, given Fort which are directly adjacent to Woodland Wood, Forder Valley the position of the forts, would be: and Efford Marsh respectively. The implications of this in terms of heritage conservation are that solutions to rectify issues caused • Ernsettle Fort, Agaton Fort, Knowles Battery and Woodland Fort by overgrowing vegetation, for example, will need to give suitable consideration to the management of ecology and vice versa. • Bowden Battery, Forder Battery, Eggbuckland Keep and Fort An initial appraisal of the ecology of these sites indicates that it Austin should be possible to overcome any conflicts that this may give • Laira Batter/Emplacement and Efford Fort rise to through appropriate vegetation management and removal 4.44 The benefit of creating these mini trails is that they can be completed at certain times, although this will need to be completed on a step- in lesser time and as circular routes that return the user back to an by-step basis. identifiable start/finish point. This option also integrates another 4.48 A further issue facing the forts and the surrounding vegetation is key heritage asset, the Military Road, into the overall package and that the sites are known to be habitats and foraging grounds of another feature that could be interpreted. The fact that these trails

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bats – specifically the lesser and greater horseshoe bats. Bats are 4.51 It is certainly conceivable that the Tier 2, 3 and 4 forts could be used a European protected species. This means that no works can be as a means of presenting locally important ecological information as undertaken until ecological assessments have been undertaken well as heritage information. In particular, the Forder Valley Local in relation to bats. This will not only include the fortifications Nature Reserve adjacent to Fort Austin is well connected to the fort themselves, but also the adjacent land (i.e. trees and vegetation) through a series of footpaths and trails that also present access to and the connecting landscape between each of the sites as there the rampart, ditch and counter-scarp gallery. Encouraging use and is likely to have been bat migration between them. The presence of providing interpretation of the reserve could therefore present a bats will not necessarily preclude future development but detailed further public access function of the fort. A similar initiative could bat surveys will need to be undertaken such as activity surveys, also be presented at Woodland Fort and Efford Fort and their dusk dawn emergence re-entry surveys (to cover spring, summer associated Local Nature Reserves, with any perimeter walk being and autumn), hibernation and summer roost visits/inspections and as important to showcasing the these reserves as they would be passive bat detector surveys. All works should be undertaken by heritage of the fort itself. experienced bat ecologists and licensed personnel and follow strict guidance published by the Bat Conservation Trust http://www. 4.52 In addition, despite the warnings concerning bats, it may be possible bats.org.uk/pages/guidanceforprofessionals.html. These surveys to utilise their presence within the forts as a means of promoting will inform any mitigation, compensation, enhancement or license bat ecology concerns to the wider public. For example, there is requirements that may be needed as part of the of any future the possibility of incorporating artificial bat roosts within existing development venture. buildings and/or structures that would be considered valuable conservation and a potential education tool if done correctly. In 4.49 It is important that none of the proposed works be undertaken addition, operational bat webcams could be strategically placed in without prior consultation with an experienced bat ecologist. roosts so the general public can observe the bats remotely from Any plans, projects, developments, architectural designs for the the potential community centres. fortifications should not be undertaken without consulting a bat ecologist at the conception stage of any proposed venture. Marketing and Promotion 4.53 Public access to the forts needs to be supported by appropriate Heritage and Ecology Interpretation marketing and promotion of the sites. As highlighted above, 4.50 The environmental character of the areas immediately adjacent to not all of the sites will have general public access and it will be the forts is generally characterised as naturalised vegetation upon important to stipulate this in any material developed in order to the ramparts and within the ditches, as well as the mature and avoid trespassing and degrading the experience. However, all of semi-mature woodland that has become established on the glacis the sites can be included in the Northern Forts Heritage Discovery of many of the forts. This has given rise to increasing amenity Trail. value with some of the woodland, currently managed as part of a network of local nature reserves. 4.54 The leaflet describing and waymarking the trail will need to be readily available through the Plymouth Tourist Information Centre,

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local libraries, and downloadable from the Internet. As mobile and indeed maximising the use of the fort’s space for community information technology becomes more prevalent, the opportunity and commercial gain. to create a downloadable ‘App’ to highlight the tour, to provide more detail on the forts and local history, and to provide interactive 4.59 This support will need to be provided by the PCC as owners of content should be explored. the fort, and partners such as EH, NE, and Groundwork Trust, for example. It is recommended that this support be galvanised 4.55 The Plymouth Visitor Management Plan is also to highlight broader through the creation of a ‘Woodland Fort Trust’ which will have marketing and promotion options for attracting visitors. It will be an oversight brief to retain the historical integrity of the structure. important to ensure that the Discovery Trail and its leaflet are Within this context, it is envisaged that the WFCC will continue to represented within any actions emanating from this section of the have an over-arching management role, although this will need to plan. be supplemented by an individual or organisation that can assist WFCC in extending the opening hours of the site so that it can be Future Use and Management Strategy accessed throughout the day. 4.56 As identified previously, the existing ownership, operational issues 4.60 The primary role of the Woodland Fort Management Trust will be and existing uses restrict the future development of several of the to: fortifications. However, the PCC has direct responsibility for two sites, namely Woodland Fort and Fort Austin. The overall use • o w n and be responsible for Woodland Fort as a heritage asset, and management options are discussed in detail in the respective preserving and restoring its historic fabric; Individual Site Statements. The following summarises these • assist in leveraging support for the WFCC through its member’s recommendations. network in order to maximise the community, heritage and Woodland Fort environmental value of the site; • present the lead body for accessing funding to support ongoing 4.57 Largely due to the effort, ingenuity and dedication of the Woodland conservation works for Woodland Fort (and indeed other forts Fort Community Centre (WFCC), a voluntary organisation, as required); and Woodland Fort has become a valuable community asset, supporting a range of different activities. However, in terms of site governance • be responsible for, and preside over, any contractual and financial management, the current position is deemed to be a arrangements concerning either the use or maintenance of the significant risk that could, at least theoretically, result in the loss of fort. the site for community use at some stage in the future. 4.61 As a site with a predominately community function, it needs to be recognised that the revenue generated from this site will be 4.58 In order to secure a more sustainable future, it will be necessary to modest. As highlighted above, it is recommended that some form of address these issues, ideally through a new governance structure. commercial function be integrated into the site in order to generate The structure should seek to include the WFCC and ensure its some form of regular income to support regular maintenance. long-term use as a community facility. However, the WFCC will However, it is unlikely that this alone will be sufficient to undertake need to be supported in terms of the maintenance, conservation

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any major works. 4.66 It is beyond the scope of this study to examine these site specific issues in more detail. As such, it is recommended that these 4.62 There is also an option of selling part of the land that is currently issues now be pursued through a partnership approach to examine cordoned off to a private sector operator, an option that has only the implications for the site, the end users and the PCC as owners. come to light at the end of the investigation process. However, this In addition to Plymouth College of Arts, Formation Zone and would restrict the prospect of once more opening up the whole Flameworks, it should be noted that other potential operators, such of the fort, which from a heritage perspective is the preferred as RIO, have also indicated an interest in examining the potential scenario. Nevertheless, this option would need to be considered of Fort Austin as a site that could host some form of associated within the specific business plan associated with the restoration of function. Each of these operators has the credentials to present a the Old Cookhouse. partner, either individually or in some form of combination, to the PCC in this venture. Fort Austin 4.67 Within this approach, key issues that will need to be addressed 4.63 A change of use of Fort Austin is expected in the near future with are: the current occupiers, Plymouth Community Homes, actively seeking new premises. • types of activity envisaged, the spaces required, and the likely terms of contract (either for the end-user or the operator should 4.64 As highlighted previously, the investigation process has identified this be an option); the option of presenting Fort Austin as workspace for either the arts or digital media (or both) represent the most feasible solutions, • options for combined arts and digital media use and implications with potential users identified. However, both of these user groups for the ‘market’ in terms of compatibility; will require some ‘adjustment’ of the site and its facilities to better • requirements for conversion or adaptation of existing structures; accommodate their needs. For example digital media will require the latest generation in Information Communication Technologies • requirements for relieving pressure on historic fabric of the site (ICT), particularly high-speed, fibre optic Internet connection; and and restoring certain key heritage features; and the industrial arts will require the retention and potential adaptation • requirements for integrating community access. of the workshops and storage spaces. Within this concept, the use of the gatehouse as live/workspace could also be considered 4.68 At this stage in the process, we have assumed that the site will be in order to provide some additional security for the site. However, retained by the PCC as there is not a clear indication of the final this will need to be considered against the additional costs incurred composition of the uses for the site at present. However, subject and how this may affect viability. to these discussions, it is recommended that the management arrangements for the site be reviewed, again with the prospect of 4.65 It is also important that sustainability measures such as waste establishing a Fort Austin Trust to be considered. As with Woodland reduction, energy reduction, and green technologies are Fort, the advantage of doing this will to open up funding options incorporated into any re-development proposals; as is the need to and opportunities to support conservation and maintenance that relieve pressure on the historic fabric of the site itself. may be unavailable to the PCC on its own. However, the PCC needs to retain its presence on the Trust to provide the structure

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with greater long-term security. conversion of the spaces for other uses.

4.69 The main income source would be through the lease of the buildings 4.74 The level of funding required to support these works is beyond the for their desired purpose. As highlighted in Stage B, a ballpark means of most of the fort owners, including the PCC as owners revenue from the fort would be somewhere between £25,000 and of Woodland Fort and Fort Austin. As such, it is recommended £72,000 per annum depending upon the composition of the fort. that a more strategic approach be adopted that seeks to group The terms and rates of business would need to be discussed in certain forts together in terms of key areas of need as a means of more detail with the partners in order to determine a more robust concentrating investment and presenting best value for money. As business case. a guide, it is envisaged that the investment needs of the forts can be summarised into the following categories: Funding Strategy • Conservation Management: 4.70 Funding for heritage projects continues to be challenging, partly due to the demand for existing resources (especially the Heritage • Possible restoration and repair of walls (repointing, resetting) Lottery Fund) but also due to the pressure for reducing resources - Knowles Battery, Bowden Battery, Woodland Fort. across other commercial sources of heritage project funding (e.g. • Renovation of historic fabric such as doors, windows or English Heritage and local authority budget cuts). parade ground - Agaton Fort, Laira Battery, Knowles Battery, Fort Austin, Woodland Fort, and Efford Fort. 4.71 However, the prospect of improving community engagement as described within each of the public access ‘Tiers’ will require • Ecology and Landscape Improvements investment, particularly associated with Tier 2 and 3, with • Bat roost monitoring - all forts, especially where development intervention also possible within Tier 4 (Bowden Battery) to assist is likely to take place. with delivering greater information and interpretation of the forts • Invasive vegetation clearance - ongoing at most of the forts. as a collective. • Public Access: 4.72 In times of increasing pressure on funding sources, piecemeal and • Information boards and inclusion within the heritage trail - all ad hoc applications for individual forts could struggle given the forts. investment requirements will run into significant sums. • Development of additional spaces to encourage community 4.73 To act as a guide, the nature of the works for conservation access - Agaton Fort, Knowles Battery, Fort Austin. works for Agaton Fort, Knowles Battery, Woodland Fort, Bowden • Development of additional spaces to encourage community Battery and Fort Austin are outlined within the ‘Individual Site access and improve heritage interpretation of Plymouth’s Statements’. Included within this assessment is the restoration Northern Forts - Woodland Fort and Bowden Battery (heritage of the guardhouses and the restoration of the Old Cookhouse at public access initiatives only). Woodland Fort. Combined, the total conservation works for these sites is estimated at £605,500. Please note that this excludes 4.75 It is our view that funding sources will be more receptive to this type

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of approach because it will deliver a broader range of conservation the financial sustainability of the project (especially if the project benefits and has the prospect of reaching a wider audience base. will result in generating revenue); and • the level and continuing engagement and involvement of the The Role of English Heritage local community. 4.76 English Heritage, through its support of this study, has demonstrated 4.81 The collective nature of the forts therefore needs to be reflected a willingness to assist in the preservation and conservation of in any approach, demonstrating that the project is supported by a Plymouth’s Northern Forts. English Heritage has a variety of combination of public, private and voluntary sector interests. This funding mechanisms that it has, in the past, used to fund capital will need to be co-ordinated through one vehicle, however, which works and community/heritage projects. Although English Heritage we recommend should be the PCC. is still committed to supporting heritage projects through grant aid, the recent announcement of significantly reduced funding from the 4.82 A l l projects considering an approach to the HLF should begin Department of Culture, Media and Sport means the organisation dialogue through the Pre-Application procedure. This procedure will need to reduce its grantmaking by around one third. Therefore, has been designed to allow the HLF to assess the merit of projects other sources of funding will need to be given priority. and help guide applicants in terms of key components that need to be addressed within the full application process. Full applications Heritage Lottery Fund are expected to undertake a two-stage process, with the second 4.77 The major conservation works aimed at improving conservation and stage potentially taking up to 18-months to compile the evidence public access of the forts generally conforms with the aspirations base and for the HLF to reach a decision. As a competitive process of the major funder of heritage projects in the UK, namely the that is highly subscribed to, the funding from HLF is not guaranteed Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). even for those projects that are successful in getting to Stage 2.

4.78 Projects of the type outlined above would normally be considered Other Funding Options under Heritage Grants (Grants above £50,000) - projects that 4.83 There are other funding options that could be considered. The relate to the national, regional or local heritage of the UK. following briefly identifies those which are most pertinent to the forts and their future uses: 4.79 In order to ensure that all forts as outlined are incorporated into a project that is presented to the HLF, it is recommended that • Heritage-based Funding (source: Heritage Link): the tiered approach be highlighted as a means of establishing a strategic umbrella for projects designed to breed new life into • Architectural Heritage Fund (Grants for Building Preservation) Plymouth’s Northern Forts. - A grant of no more than £25,000 for project development to help building preservation trusts to pay for costs of 4.80 Among the key considerations when preparing an approach to HLF development and coordination. include: • CLA Charitable Trust - through small grants, supports the provision of facilities for the disabled and disadvantaged to • the partnership or lead organisation in the delivery of the project;

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take part in recreation and education in the countryside. importance; the conservation of monuments or structures important in their surroundings, including buildings designed • Robert Clutterbuck Charitable Trust - a small trust that for public performance. Trustees will consider supporting supports other charitable organisations that gives specific core costs and the cost of initial exploratory works for attention to personnel within the Armed Forces and Ex- organisations seeking to rescue historic buildings. The fund Servicemen and women. The funding is usually to support the is not available for match-funding, for example to help support purchase of specific items to assist projects. HLF applications. • The Craven Trust - small grants (£100-£1000) designed to • The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation - Grants of between support community groups and projects in terms of set-up, £1000 and £30,000. In the field of ‘heritage, grants are purchasing, and revenue costs. targeted at smaller heritage projects, with a particular interest • The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - one of the largest in industrial and maritime projects in areas of deprivation, independent grantmaking foundations supporting innovative which provide employment and/or volunteering opportunities and ground-breaking projects. Has a specific ‘heritage’ for the local community and contribute to the regeneration of strand, although this mainly focuses on collections. the area. • Charles Hayward Foundation - offering capital grants to • Social/Community Funding (source: GrantNet): charitable organisations of between £1000 and £20,000 for • The Asda Foundation - Assists charities, people and projects developmental or innovation within community-based heritage within the UK that require financial assistance. This fund will and conservation programmes. support local charities, local community groups, schools, • Idlewild Trust - a grant making trust that supports registered playgroups, community centres and football teams. charities for education, the encouragement of the performing • Awards for All - England - Grants of between £300 and £10,000 and fine arts, and the preservation for the benefit of the public to cover a variety of project costs proposed by voluntary, of lands, buildings and other objects of beauty or historic community, parish or town council, school or health body. interest in the United Kingdom. The organisation tends not to fund projects considered to of local or parochial interest only. • Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation - The Foundation provides grant funding of between £500 to £10,000 in support • Leche Trust - The Trust has the power to make grants for of a wide range of charitable projects that aim to improve the any object or purpose which is recognised as charitable. quality of life for the young, deprived, disadvantaged, disabled This includes supporting charitable bodies or organisations and elderly in the UK. associated with the preservation of the nation’s countryside, towns, villages and historic landscapes. • CEMEX Community Fund (for projects within 10-miles of a CEMEX Operation) - Grants of between £1000 and £15,000 • Pilgrim Trust - Under the heading of ‘Preservation & for projects that provide or improve community facilities; Scholarship the Trust supports the preservation of historic deliver biodiversity conservation for UK species or habitats; or buildings and architectural features, especially projects giving restore or repair buildings which are of religious, architectural a new use to buildings of outstanding architectural or historic or historical interest.

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• Community Foundation - Grants of up to £5,000 for We had returned from active service in Aden in September voluntary grass roots community groups working to relieve the 1967 and the Argyles & Sutherland Highlanders were just effects of poverty and disadvantage in the county of Devon. across the road in Seaton Barracks. 4.84 An approach to one or a combination of sources could be an option I was a young Corporal then and barracked in Plumer Bar- subject to the type of project and funding required. However, this racks. And every day we would nip out from the fort for is more of a piecemeal method that may not be suitable for each lunch in the Tamar Pub... for a Pie and a Pint. Oh... those of the forts, particularly as many sources will only fund charitable were the days!” organisations. 4.88 This comment was received by the secretary of a local company with a charitable remit. This is just one story, but there are likely to 4.85 Another option would be the Regional Growth Fund which has just be many other ex-naval personnel that have fond memories of forts, entered Round 2 of the bidding phase. This is the main bidding some of whom may now be willing to ‘put something back’ to help phase, during which some £1 billion will be allocated to a variety of support the forts and their upkeep. This type of endeavour needs different projects across the UK. The key component of the project to be actively sought. is that it must assist in levering £2.5bn in private sector investment that will create or safeguard over 27,000 direct jobs and close to a further 100,000 indirect jobs. Given this context, it may not offer Partnership Arrangements the best solution for Plymouth’s Northern Fortifications. 4.89 The Plymouth Northern Forts, as a collective, already includes a series of key organisations with a vested interest in the upkeep and 4.86 Lastly, but by no means least, there is a growing move towards maintenance of the forts, albeit for their own purposes. A key finding greater philanthropy concerning heritage structures. This has of this project is that only one of these organisations is actually recently been purported by the HLF, with its future strategy likely utilising the spaces and heritage that the forts provide, namely to support the notion of private supporters of heritage through the LMT. In the majority of the other instances, the organisation donations, assisting with fundraising, and raising awareness. and operation has either turned its back on the fort or is using the spaces that the fort provides for activities that are not specific to the 4.87 Plymouth is still strongly linked with naval heritage, with some of environs of the fort. Plymouth’s forts being utilised by the MoD within living memory. A comment received through the recent Sustainable Communities 4.90 This position is understandable given the condition of some of these Consultation process demonstrates this premise: spaces at present. However, going forward, it will be important in terms of any funding application that there is an acknowledgement “...I just wanted to tell you that I worked in Crownhill Fort amongst all of these groups and organisations that heritage with Headquarters, 24th Infantry Brigade who took the fort conservation, the sympathetic usage of spaces, and continued over from the Devon & Cornwall Sub-District Headquarters investment to retain the heritage value are all paramount. which then became defunct.

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4.91 The consultation process has also demonstrated that there is vital in securing funding. The WFCC, as a community organisation a role for other organisations in relation to the forts that could with a healthy membership base, will be a critical partner in this help strengthen their position and sustainability of these sites as respect. However, ensuring that other community groups are also heritage assets. For instance: engaged (e.g. the Agaton Social Club) will also be vital. Although these organisations have comparatively modest resources, it • Agaton Fort - Agaton Social Club (or other local community is the energy and enthusiasm of its members as volunteers in group) could be encouraged to access Agaton Fort. management, conservation and education initiatives that will be • Knowles Battery - The Plymouth Fort ‘Your Heritage’ project taken into consideration as match funding through ‘in kind support’ team would best be suited at Knowles Battery given the context and ‘voluntary man hours’. Longer term, community events of the project as an educational tool for school children. organised by these and other groups will also form a critical part of future audience development as well as ensuring conservation • Woodland Fort - Groundwork Trust has identified an interest in management costs remain manageable. the conservation of Woodland Fort, which could be strengthened by the fact if a space became available for them to use in some Development and Public Access Recommendations form of capacity. 4.94 To summarise, the key recommendations in relation to developing • Fort Austin - Plymouth College of Arts, Formation Zone, Plymouth’s Northern Fortifications and improving public access Flameworks, and RIO (depending upon final composition of the and understanding of these heritage assets are follows fort’s future use and other projects being pursued) have each declared an interest in any proposition to utilise Fort Austin for Public Access the arts and/or digital media. Follow the ‘tiering’ principle for improving public access and • Woodland Fort, Fort Austin, Bowden Battery and Efford Fort - interpretation of Plymouth’s Northern Fortifications, namely: Given the close proximity to Local Nature Reserves, these sites could interest Plymouth Wildlife Trust and Natural England in • Tier 1 Forts - Create general front-of-site information board terms of activity that supports greater improved biodiversity and include within a heritage tour leaflet providing basic education and conservation. information on the role of each fort. Generally there will be 4.92 The fact that the full list of interested parties includes constitutionally no formal public access rights to the forts, although access robust organisations through to local interest groups and community to parts of the fort may be possible through other means representatives is certainly a strength that needs to be harnessed (e.g. as part of a nature reserve or other green space). more in the future. Please note that it is not the intention of this list • Tier 2 Forts - Community access to certain areas of the to preclude the opportunity for other organisations to come forward site (e.g. guardhouse) to be encouraged for clearly defined as a means of becoming a partner. Rather, it simply demonstrates functions, or for specific events. These sites will also include that partnership support for the forts is, by an large, available. a general front-of-site information board and will form part of a heritage tour leaflet providing basic information on the 4.93 Continuing community engagement and involvement will also be role of each fort.

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• Tier 3 Forts - Public access is to be encouraged through Woodland Fort Future Use and Management various initiatives for a variety of different functions and Establish a development and operation plan for Woodland events. These functions and events will take place at Fort. The plan should be specifically designed to: regular intervals and publicised locally an, where relevant, regionally. These sites will also include a general front-of- • retain and improve upon the community function of the site information board and will form part of a heritage tour fort; leaflet providing basic information on the role of each fort. • Tier 4 Forts - Main Plymouth Northern Fortification • establish operational activities that extend opening hours interpretation site(s) through a dedicated centre that and generate new revenue through both the existing includes interpretation of the whole of the Plymouth spaces and the re-development of the Old Cookhouse; Northern Fortifications and how they are interrelated. This site(s) will also present the central information hub on each • establish a new organisation (i.e. Woodland Fort of the forts, and promotion point for the ‘Northern Forts Management Trust) to provide oversight governance of the Heritage Discovery Trail) conservation of the property. Integrate Heritage and Green Infrastructure The Trust will have an overriding remit to retain the historical Establish a Northern Fort Heritage Discovery Trail that utilises integrity of the structure, however the overall management of the Green Infrastructure Corridor. The forts should also be the site will be retained by WFCC, but with the assistance of identified as strategic gateways to the Green Infrastructure other organisations. Corridor and associated green spaces within their associated communities. The forts are to be utilised as features of Fort Austin Future Use and Management interest to encourage use of the GI Corridor. Engage with organisations and potential end users involved in the arts and digital media to understand their needs and Mini Trails and Perimeter Trails requirements for space and support services at Fort Austin. Group forts to create circular mini trails that utilise the Military Examine the implications of these requirements in relation to Road and utilise existing tracks around certain forts to create existing spaces and the heritage value of the site. perimeter trails. Look to secure a preferred end use prior to the end of the Integrate Heritage and Ecology existing lease period to enable a plan for adapting the site to For Woodland Fort, Fort Austin and Efford Fort, utilise the be developed in advance of the site becoming vacant. forts and perimeter trails as gateways to neighbouring Local Nature Reserves. These reserves should also be utilised to Funding highlight components of the fort which now form part of the Initiate discussion with major funders (i.e. the HLF) over a Local Nature Reserve, such as the ditches and glacis. project that will help realise the public access aspirations

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for each of the forts as outlined in the “Northern Forts Public Access Strategy’. The first step will be to input a ‘Pre- Application’.

Examine the role of other funding sources in relation to specific tasks/potential match funding. Specific forts should be grouped by task where appropriate.

Encourage other means of funding (e.g. philanthropy) and benefit in kind (e.g. volunteering) as a means of assisting in the future conservation of the forts.

Partnerships Continue to engage with different stakeholders at a local, regional and national level that have a vested interest in heritage conservation, community welfare, and environmental improvement in order to establish suitable partnerships to help secure a sustainable future for Plymouth’s Northern Fortifications individually and collectively.

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Plymouth Palmerston Forts Individual Site Statement: Woodland Fort

Prepared for: Plymouth City Council and English Heritage

Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

5. Individual Site Statement: Woodland Fort 5.7 The casemated defended gatehouse is built of local stone with dressed stone quoins and is designed in the Romanesque style. History and Role The central arch and brick vaulted passage, is flanked by polygonal positions that enfilade the east and west sides of the gorge. The 5.1 Woodland Fort was constructed between 1863 and 1869 and entrance arch retains the drawbridge mechanism pulley and chains is positioned to cover the front of Knowles Fort and the flank of though the drawbridge itself has been lost. The earthen rampart Crownhill fort. It was built for 18 guns with two in haxo-casemates. is overgrown.

5.2 The fort was disarmed 1893 and sold in 1930 with land facing the 5.8 The gatehouse is presently sealed and all openings have been gorge and fronting the military road acquired by the County Council closed. The guardhouse windows facing the gorge retain vestigial for purposes of widening the road. traces of decorative iron work.

Description Parade 5.3 Woodland Fort is of rhomboid plan with rock cut ditches and 5.9 The entrance leads to an extensive open parade planted with earthen ramparts to all sides with a stone gorge wall. The gorge mature to its east side. The open parade is now partitioned is enfiladed by a central entrance gateway and guardhouse. The on the west side by a modern stone faced concrete wall with ditches are enfiladed by a single caponier in the north west ditch remains of various lean to sheds on its west side erected whilst and counter scarp gallery in the north east that enfilades the north this part of the site was used as a builders yard. and east ditches (see figure 5.1). 5.10 The parade is laid to tarmac with a modern concrete central 5.4 The sales catalogue of 1930 describes the fort as being substantially drainage gully, there is evidence upon the surface of a series of built and constructed of dressed stonework with a guardhouse service trenches that have previously been cut the length of the opening to a spacious quadrangle. At the time of the sale the parade. barrack building was in use as tenant dwellings. The sales details refer to the land to the south of the fort being transferred to the 5.11 A flight of steps is located at the far side of the parade and leads County Council for the purposes of widening the road. to the lower level in front of the barrack building. The steps are of granite stone with granite stone coping to the sides. The tubular Gorge and gatehouse handrail is a recent addition.

5.5 The gorge wall is of local stone with granite coping. Musket loops 5.12 The lower level path in front of the barrack block is laid with are evident for much of its length with stone dressings. The chemin flagstones, an original granite stone gully is located at the foot of de rondes is retained though the levels, particularly on the east the grass bank. side of the gatehouse have been raised.

5.6 A modern opening with iron gate has been inserted on the west side of the gorge to give access to the former builders yard.

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Cookhouse Barrack Block 5.13 The ruined cookhouse is set against the west rampart. The single 5.15 The two storey casemated barrack block is set within the north storey building is stone built with dressed quoins and window rampart at the far end of the parade. The building has a linear plan reveals. The roof is mostly collapsed and is of close boarded form and is divided into 4 bays each of which is articulated on the timber with a simple timber truss. The covering is now corrugated exterior elevation comprising a single flat arched door with glazed tin. segmental arch fan-light flanked to each side by 2 over 2 pane segmental arched sash windows. The window and door arches 5.14 The building is of three cells with single part brick stack and have prominent key stones. The external fabric is of random vestigial evidence in the stone party wall for a fire setting. Each coursed local ashlar. There is a prominent rounded cornice to the division was provided with a single doorway and single flat arched parapet and prominent forward set stone chimney stacks. window facing the parade. To the front of the building was a covered veranda of 5-bays supported on simple iron stanchions. 5.16 The first floor balcony is of asphalt, possibly over stone and is The building was extended in more recent times with a concrete carried on iron stanchions supporting an iron beam structure. The block work structure which is also now in a ruinous condition. railings and posts are all original and carried down the stone stairs that are located at each end of the balcony. Stone cantilevered stairs at the western end rise up to the parapet and rampart.

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5.17 At the lower level the external elevation of the building is obscured behind a vestibule that extends beneath the balcony. A pair of two storey toilet blocks project in front of the balcony and are linked by a single storey lean-to structure. These structures are all concrete rendered with simple window and door apertures and are likely to date to the period when the barrack was in use as tenant dwelling prior to its disposal by the War Office in 1930.

5.18 The interior spaces on the ground floor have been truncated to provide for present use as bar and common room facilities. Walls and ceilings have all been lined, though the ceiling structure appears to be supported on timber beams. There is generally good retention of original timber boarded floors. Vaulted passageways at each end of the barrack lead to the caponiers and counter-scarp gallery and have both been closed.

5.19 The first floor comprises a series of brick vaulted spaces showing only minor truncation. Each of the spaces retains its central ventilation open work iron grill.

Magazine A suite of three smaller inter-linked rooms is arranged to the front 5.20 The main magazine extends beneath the east rampart and of the magazine each with separate external access. Whereas the comprises a series of brick vaulted spaces and passage ways. windows seem to be either replacements or possibly later insertions The exterior elevation is of random coursed ashlar which rises to the doors retain their original joinery and furniture. parapet level. The cornice that is continued from the adjoining barrack block is only part continued. The ground floor openings Ramparts are of irregular character comprising simple arch headed doors and small flat arched windows and other ancillary openings. The 5.22 The ramparts are accessible by an earth ramp alongside the west stairs that rise up to the balcony level are carried on a broad stone arm of the gorge and adjacent to the chemin de rondes. The arch. ramparts extend around the flanks and front of the fort. The east rampart retains a single stone and brick built haxo-casemate with 5.21 The main magazine a large double height vaulted space which is an A pivot setting. The haxo generally retains its earth covering. set within the depth of the structure with a narrow stone vaulted Single gun positions are located to each side of the haxo with passage on all sides. The main entrance passage is provided with concrete facing and expense magazine. The position at the north a series of small deep recesses for the positioning of safety lamps. east salient retains a C pivot setting the other position having an A

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pivot setting. There is a single earth covered magazine with brick Significance vaulted chamber accessed by means of a small passage. 5.29 The fort retains good legibility, though the integrity of the parade 5.23 The front rampart retains a single earth covered magazine which ground has been harmed by its truncation. The legibility of the fort is set centrally between the two positions mounted at the salient is particularly apparent from the rampart where good survival of angle. Whereas vegetation on the east and front rampart is positions contributes to overall historical character and evidential generally managed and controlled vegetation on the west rampart value. The barrack and main magazine are good examples of is more rampant and obscures the rampart positions. Nonetheless their type and retain significant evidential historical and aesthetic the west rampart does retain its haxo and other open gun positions values. The interior spaces of the barrack and magazine including as well as a covered magazine. joinery details are generally well preserved and these contribute to overall value. 5.24 On the west rampart alongside the gorge wall there appears to be evidence of a shallow irregular zig-zag ditch which may be remains 5.30 The barrack is similar in design to that at Crownhill Fort and though of a WWI practice trench. on a smaller scale is comparable in its execution and architectural articulation. Its aesthetic values are slightly diminished by the 5.25 The lower slopes of the rampart are overgrown and partly eroded. extensions of the 1930s, but these are themselves features that A narrow berm is preserved alongside the scarp of the ditch. now characterise the composition. The integrated magazine retains good detailing including lamp placements and together with the 5.26 The ditch has been retained to the flank and front of the fort. The barrack has both group and aesthetic value. ditch is mostly rock cut of near vertical sides though in places this is strengthened by an inclined stone built facing. The base of the 5.31 The gatehouse and gorge are characteristic features of the northern ditch is flat bottomed and is now waterlogged. forts and though on a smaller scale the composition at Woodland Fort is comparable to those at Fort Austin and Knowles battery. Caponier and counter-scarp gallery Other than that at Crownhill Fort, the gatehouse at Woodland Fort is the only structure to remain in use and complete. The gorge 5.27 The single two storey stone built caponier enfilades the west flank is a prominent feature in the townscape and contributes to visual and is provided with both gun embrasures and musket loops. It amenity of the urban environment. is accessed by means of the passage located beneath the stairs adjacent to the west side of the barrack. Access is currently 5.32 The cookhouse with veranda is the only example of its type within blocked and the interior of the caponier has nnot bee inspected. the group and retains historical significance on that account. Sufficient fabric remains to give evidential value. The structure 5.28 The counter-scarp gallery is a two-storey stone structure built and size of the cookhouse are similar to the cookhouse at Agaton into the north east salient to enfilade the north the east flanks. It Fort. comprises both gun embrasures and musket loops. Access to the interior is not possible, it is accessed from the passage located in 5.33 The haxo casemate and other gun positions and magazines on the the east angle of the barrack. rampart are all typical of the group and though well preserved have

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no unique value. There is good legibility and retention of historic 5.39 A new vehicular opening has been made through the gorge to gain layout and authenticity. access to the former builders yard. The gorge ditch has been infilled. 5.34 The caponier and counter-scarp gallery are externally well preserved with good retention of detail. The structures retain Ecology and Natural Amenity historical authenticity and legibility with the ditch and rampart. 5.40 G r e a t e r horseshoe bats have been recorded within Woodland Fort The counter-scarp gallery is comparable to that at Fort Austin and and common pipistrelle, pipistrelle species, brown long-eared bat the single caponier similar to that at Agaton Fort. The caponier is and greater horseshoe bat have been recorded within 2 km of the a design feature of the Palmerston fortifications and its use on the site. smaller fortifications in conjunction with the counter-scarp gallery as at Woodland Fort demonstrates well its defensive intent. 5.41 The gatehouse has a grass rampart and there are small cracks and crevices within the brickwork, but no obvious access or egress 5.35 Overall Woodland Fort retains good preservation and legibility points were identified that may be used by bats. Other potential of those key elements that characterise the design intent of the structures of use to bats include the haxo casemate, magazines Palmerston era fortifications. As a smaller fortification Woodland and caponier and passageways. Fort exemplifies a typical fort of Plymouth’s Northern defences which were each the design responsibility of Capt Du Cane. 5.42 There is an avenue of mature small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) trees located within the parade on the east side of the entrance, a Condition comparable grouping is absent on the west side where the rampart 5.36 The barrack and magazines are generally in a good condition is more overgrown. Perimeter planting of Limes around the parade and well maintained on account of continued use. There is some appears to be a historic design feature of the forts and elements evidence of decay of timber joinery particularly on the upper level are retained also at Crownhill Fort. window frames. The interior of the barrack blocks shows evidence of some water ingress through the roof and there are significant 5.43 Semi-natural broadleaved woodland extends to the front and flank deposits of limescale on the exterior facade below the cornice of the site and is dominated by oak, beech, ash and sycamore. The level. field layer includes heart’s tongue fern, common polypody, bramble and ivy. There are rooks (Corvus frugilegus) nesting (rookery) in 5.37 The Old Cookhouse is in a ruinous state and as with other parts of the woodland. the western part of the parade very overgrown. 5.44 T h e site has good connectivity to Woodland Wood Local Nature 5.38 The ramparts show evidence of occasional management of Reserve adjacent the site. The 1896 War Office plan shows vegetation but are generally overgrown with scrub and mature Woodland Wood to have, at the time, been confined to the west planting that has become established particularly on the lower flank of the fort. The glacis to the front and east side of the fort is slopes of the rampart and within the ditch. The haxo casemates shown as rough grassland. None of this rough grassland is now have been vandalised and there is evidence of graffiti. evident and Woodland Wood is now encroaching upon much of

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the north glacis. The slope of the glacis is however evident as a • more indoor sporting activities (e.g. indoor bowls, ballroom feature within the woodland environment. On the east flank the dancing) and other fitness-type programmes directly aimed at glacis has been landscaped and the land is now a closely mown the more vulnerable elements of the local community. and managed public amenity space. 5.48 Being adjacent to the Woodland Wood Local Nature Reserve, there is also an opportunity to utilise the fort as a gateway for Development Opportunity wildlife discovery and learning. 5.45 Woodland Fort already has community access functions as provided by the WFCC. As a priority, these are to be retained 5.49 Overall, therefore, it is recommended as a strategic aim that and secured through improved management arrangements (see Woodland Fort continue to represent a primary community centre below). that supports a range of activities and interests for local residents and beyond. Through this provision, it is also recommended 5.46 I n addition, there is capacity for the existing functions to be that other council services concerned with the health, welfare, complemented by several other activities that have a more integration and education of society be encouraged to utilise commercial focus. This is particularly true in relation to the Old Woodland Fort as a community-outreach centre in order to directly Cookhouse, which has the capacity to be returned once more engage with local citizens in need. into a usable building. The removal of the dividing wall within the parade ground would have the impact of re-opening the second Management and Operation gateway to the site, which in turn will allow more controlled and 5.50 Largely due to the effort, ingenuity and dedication of the Woodland safer vehicular access to the site (see figure 5.2). Fort Community Centre (WFCC), a voluntary organisation, 5.47 The additional activities could feasibly include: Woodland Fort has become a valuable community asset, supporting a range of different activities. However, in terms of • a café that is open during the day, utilising the second bar area site governance and financial management, the current position to support existing day-visitors, users of Woodland Park, and is deemed to be a significant risk that could, at least theoretically, users of the new activities outlined below; result in the loss of the site for community use at some stage in the future. Among the key concerns are that: • a children’s play area, with the prospect of the restored Old Cookhouse presenting an opportunity for this type of facility; • the WFCC who manage the site do so on a highly limited budget • band practice and amateur dramatics suites by bringing some and limited external support at present; rooms (e.g. the gatehouse) back into use; • as a voluntary organisation there is a risk that should the group • small-scale outdoor community events such as jumble sales, fold for any reason, the access to Woodland Fort for the current car-boot sales, small-scale farmers markets, small-scale uses may cease; and concerts for up-and-coming ‘local’ talent, and outdoor amateur • there is no formalised agreement between the PCC as owners dramatic performances; and of the site and WFCC as operators over the site’s management and operation, a situation that presents a risk for both parties.

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

5.51 In order to secure a more sustainable future, it will be necessary to 5.54 As a site with a predominately community function, it needs to address these issues, ideally through a new governance structure. be recognised that the revenue generated from this site will be The structure should seek to include the WFCC and ensure its modest. As highlighted above, it is recommended that some form of long-term use as a community facility. However, the WFCC will commercial function be integrated into the site in order to generate need to be supported in terms of the maintenance, conservation some form of regular income to support regular maintenance. and indeed maximising the use of the fort’s space for community However, it is unlikely that this alone will be sufficient to undertake and commercial gain. any major works.

5.52 This support will need to be provided by the PCC as owners of 5.55 There is also an option of selling part of the land that is currently the fort, and with the assistance of partners such as EH, NE, cordoned off to a private sector operator, an option that has only and Groundwork Trust, for example. It is recommended that this come to light at the end of the investigation process. However, this support be galvanised through a new organisation, the ‘Woodland would restrict the prospect of once more opening up the whole Fort Trust’, which will have an oversight brief to retain the historical of the fort, which from a heritage perspective is the preferred integrity of the structure. Within this context, it is envisaged that scenario. Nevertheless, this option would need to be considered the WFCC will continue with its management role, although this within the specific business plan associated with the restoration of will need to be supplemented by an individual or organisation (e.g. the Old Cookhouse. cafe, children’s play centre) that can assist WFCC in extending the opening hours of the site so that it can be accessed throughout Vulnerability the day. Condition 5.53 The primary role of the Woodland Fort Conservation Trust will be 5.56 The fort is generally in a good condition on account of its continued to: use. There are however some specific areas of concern where there is a risk of loss of heritage values. • own and be responsible for Woodland Fort as a heritage asset, preserving and restoring its historic fabric; Barrack Block • assist in leveraging support for the WFCC through its member’s 5.57 The barrack block is maintained in a good condition. At the lower network in order to maximise the community, heritage and level original doors and windows are protected from weathering on environmental value of the site; account of the addition of the covered veranda. In contrast, the • present the lead body for accessing funding to support ongoing upper level windows and doors are exposed and most are showing conservation works for Woodland Fort (and indeed other forts soft wood decay especially on the cills and in the glazing bars. The as required); and doors are generally more robust though there are some instances of decay to frames. • be responsible for, and preside over, any contractual arrangements concerning either the use or maintenance of the 5.58 There is an instance of significant water ingress on the soffit of the fort. balcony on the west side. This seems to be a result of the failure

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of the external asphalt covering which has both lifted and cracked Parade in several locations. It is not known to what extent the underlying 5.64 The parade is in a good condition and the surface has been structure has been affected. maintained. The steps that lead to the lower level at the far end 5.59 There is evidence for a partial failure of the roof covering to the of the parade are, however, in a poor condition showing signs of barrack. This is evidenced by water ingress and flaking paint having been disturbed possibly during recent exploratory works work that can be seen at the front edge of each of the barrel to find a water leak beneath the parade. The steps are in a good vaults. Observation at the parapet shows small shrubs and trees condition but several of the edge stones have slipped down the beginning to become established at the junction of the parapet and slope and are spalled. roof covering. There is also evidence generally for salts leaching 5.65 The granite stone gully at the base of the grassk ban has been beneath the cornice. disturbed by trench digging and some of the stones have been damaged and removed. Cookhouse 5.60 The cookhouse is in a ruinous condition. The walls appear to Ramparts be generally sound but the timber wall plate and roof trusses are 5.66 The ramparts are generally in an overgrown state with semi-mature exposed and decay is likely. Much of the roof covering is missing vegetation, trees, shrubs, scrub and grass. There is evidence that and again decay to rafters, purlins and tie beams can be expected. the east rampart and parts of the north rampart are being managed 5.61 Window and door joinery is totally missing and there are no internal and the vegetation cover is here less dense. In contrast the west features. The veranda roof is entirely absent though enough rampart appears not be managed and the vegetation is here in a evidence remains to determine that it was continuous with the more established state. principal roof. Each of the stanchions does, however, remain as 5.67 Structures on the rampart are generally in a derelict state and does elements of the wall plate. those on the west rampart partly obscured by vegetation. There 5.62 The modern extension is of concrete breeze block construction is partial loss of the earth covering to both the magazine and haxo and is in a similar ruinous state. structures. The open gun positions retain their racer rails and concrete revetment and their condition is generally sound. Gatehouse 5.68 The slopes of the rampart are overgrown and there is some erosion 5.63 The gatehouse is closed and all doorways and window openings of soil and slippage. The berm however is mostly clear and partly are sealed. There is no indication of ventilation and it is assumed accessible. The ditch sides are overgrown and where these have therefore that the interior is in a poor condition. There is likely to been re-enforced with masonry this is showing some minor fabric be decay of any soft wood including floor structure. The roof is loss arising from shrub growth. The base of the ditch is overgrown earth covered and the condition of the vault is not known. and mostly waterlogged.

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Caponier and counter-scarp gallery in situ is adopted, ill-informed and inappropriate repair to timber joinery such as windows and doors can be damaging to heritage 5.69 These features have not been inspected. It can be assumed they values. Likewise water ingress if unchecked can also be damaging are damp with a resultant threat to soft timber. to heritage values.

Access and Security 5.75 It is, however, recognised that maintenance of heritage assets 5.70 Although the magazine and barrack buildings are locked and secure requires substantial resources. the site is generally otherwise unsecure and easily accessible. There is no barrier at the gatehouse and out of hours access to Services the site is easy. The site is therefore vulnerable to unauthorised 5.76 There is currently a suspected water mains leak which needs activity which is putting both the structure of the fort and the public repair. at risk. 5.77 Electrical and other cable services are attached to the outside 5.71 There appears to be no vandalism to either the barrack or the elevation of the barrack to the detriment of visual amenity. Cables magazine and these areas including the gatehouse are clearly are presently exposed and simply tacked to the wall or left secure. However there is considerable evidence for vandalism, suspended. graffiti and fire setting within the haxo casemate and rampart magazines. 5.78 Consideration should be given to the installation of cable troughs located to minimise visual intrusion. 5.72 Even if the gatehouse could be secured, raising of the ground levels in front and to the rear of the gorge means that this is no Development control longer a barrier to access. 5.79 Works to SAMs including in some instances works of even general 5.73 The woodland walk allows public access to the exterior of the repair, require consent from English Heritage. This requirement fort and the ditch. The nature of the ditch, its sheer sides and is the statutory responsibility of the site owners (PCC) and whilst waterlogged base has ensured that access to the caponier and PCC may be aware of their responsibility the WFCC may not be counter-scarp gallery has not been possible. Certainly there alert to this requirement. appears to be no external signs that the security of these structures has been breached. 5.80 Recent evidence determines that some major works of potential harm to heritage values have been undertaken to locate a water Issues leak within the parade. These works have occurred without the benefit of consent and demonstrate the difficulties that can arise Maintenance with even emergency works. 5.74 The maintenance requirements of a site of this complexity can be onerous and requires a knowledge and understanding of basic conservation thought. Unless a conservation approach of repair

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Vegetation 5.81 The need to balance ecological, amenity and heritage values is a common theme to most heritage projects. These issues are particularly pertinent in determining a suitable management regime for historic fortifications particularly those where an earthen rampart was an integral part of the structure.

5.82 Wholesale vegetation clearance of the site is unlikely to be a realistic proposition and would clearly harm amenity and ecological values.

5.83 An appropriate response to the issue would be to monitor and keep in check excessive vegetative growth and to control growth where this would be damaging to structure.

Underuse of Historic Structures 5.84 Most of the structures that are capable of use are being used and thereby maintained. The fact that the gatehouse is not being used could be affecting heritage values and clearly if this were brought into use decay would be halted.

5.85 Application of good conservation principles would determine that it would be preferable if this building could be bought back into use, particularly if there is a need for further space.

5.86 Use of the caponier and counter-scarp gallery is clearly constrained on account of their form and in these circumstances it is reasonable to expect that these structures have no use. It is necessary to maintain a regular inspection of these structures, and to keep them in good order. A permanent sealing of the passageways is therefore not appropriate.

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Action Plan and Conservation Policies: Woodland Fort Action Plan Lead Partner Organisation Organisation

Through consultation with the WFCC and other key stakeholders, establish a new governance and management PCC WFCC structure (e.g. Woodland Fort Trust) for Woodland Fort that will secure both the heritage value and community value EH of the asset. The new organisation will take responsibility for the ownership of the site, with the management being Groundwork Trust retained by WFCC with the support of one or two other operations on the site (depending upon the development options to be enacted) Establish a development plan for Woodland Fort that will further investigate the feasibility of bringing other spaces Woodland Fort Trust WFCC within the site back into public use. This should include removing the dividing wall in the parade ground, re-developing EH the Old Cookhouse, and opening up the gatehouse. Groundwork Trust

Conservation Policies

Policy WF1: Works of repair and Maintenance Woodland Fort Trust EH PCC Works of repair and maintenance should always be undertaken with prior approval and the necessary statutory WFCC consents. Works of repair should be undertaken in accordance with best practice as outlined in section 6 of PPS 5. All work of repair should be undertaken on a like for like basis and where possible repaired in situ. Work of repair or alteration should be carried out by persons or organisations qualified and experienced in such works.

Policy WF2: Designation EH PCC WFCC English Heritage to review the statutory designations that apply to Woodland Fort. English Heritage should consider whether it would be appropriate to consider either 1- the cookhouse and barrack for statutory listing or; 2- whether a class consent order can be applied to allow repair of windows without the need for Scheduled monument consent . Policy WF3: Security Woodland Fort Trust PCC EH A review of security should be undertaken and consideration given to whether it would be appropriate to install WFCC permanent timber gates within the gatehouse. Consideration should be given to whether it would be appropriate to install grilles or iron gates to the haxo and rampart magazines.

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Action Plan and Conservation Policies: Woodland Fort Conservation Policies Continued.... Lead Organisation Partner Organisation Policy WF4: Retention of heritage values Woodland Fort Trust PCC EH Works of repair, alteration or extension to heritage assets should only be undertaken if these would sustain, WFCC retain or better reveal the heritage values of the asset. Other local building/heritage The removal of the wall that divides the parade should be encouraged as this would better reveal the heritage trusts values of the parade. Policy WF5: Reuse of historic buildings Woodland Fort Trust PCC EH The reuse and bringing back to use of disused historic buildings such as the gatehouse and cookhouse WFCC should be encouraged (subject to the identification of suitable and sustainable uses) Groundwork Trust

Policy WF6: Vegetation Management and Conservation of ecological values Woodland Fort Trust EH WFCC Proposals for vegetative clearance should be undertaken in accordance with an approved management plan Groundwork Trust to safeguard ecological value. Vegetation upon the ramparts is to be controlled and managed so to protect the structural integrity of historic structures. Vegetation within the ditch and lower slopes is to be managed to sustain ecological value and monitored for its impact on historic structure.

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Schedule of Works to be Considered: Woodland Fort Site Works Type Amount/Fee Estimated Fee Allow the provisional sum of £ 2,500.00 for grubbing up trees including roots, as necessary, over ramparts; dispose Sum £2,500.00 off site Allow the provisional sum of £ 2,500.00 to renovate as possible the gun emplacements Sum £2,500.00 Allow the provisional sum of £ 2,500.00 to renovate as possible the subway corridors Sum £2,500.00 Clear scrub and dispose off site Sum £5,000.00 Cookhouse Take down existing block wall approx 2.5m high and dispose off site m 46 x £110 £5,060.00 Take down existing lean-to (bike shelter?) and dispose off site Sum £1,500.00 Take down existing lean-to on cookhouse side of wall and dispose off site Sum £2,000.00 Clear site and vegetation/debris around cookhouse and dispose off site Sum £4,000.00 Clear rubbish, roof timbers and roof sheeting (corrugated asbestos) from cookhouse structure and dispose off site Sum £3,000.00 Repair walls of original structure as necessary; rake out and repoint Sum £5,000.00 Repair walls of addition as necessary; rake out and repoint/render Sum £5,000.00 Prepare wallhead and gable of original structure to receive new roof Sum £1,000.00 Prepare wallhead and gables of addition to receive new roof Sum £1,000.00 New concrete floor complete, to current building regulations and standards to previous detail in original structure m2 75 x £90 £6,750.00 New concrete floor complete, to current building regulations and standards to previous detail m2 75 x £90 £6,750.00 Construct new pitched roof with strapped wallhead (100 x 50), rafters (100 x 50), purlins (100 x 75), ridge (200 x 50) and m2 75 x £80 £6,000.00 collar ties (100 x 50) in original structure Construct new roof with strapped wallhead (100 x 50), rafters (100 x 50), purlins (100 x 75), ridge (200 x 50) and collar m2 75 x £80 £6,000.00 ties (100 x 50) in addition New “tin” roof covering to original structure m2 90 x £80 £7,200.00 New “tin” roof covering to addition structure m2 90 x £80 £7,200.00 New rainwater gutters, downpipes, and new drainage to original structure Sum £1,000.00 New rainwater gutters, downpipes, and new drainage to addition Sum £1,000.00 New windows and doors to original structure Take out frames; prepare existing openings; supply and fix windows to match original (if details can be located) make good reveals nr 6 x £500 £3,000.00 in original structure

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Schedule of Works to be Considered: Woodland Fort New windows and doors to original structure (continued) Take out frames; prepare existing openings; supply and fix windows to match original (if details can be located) make good reveals nr 6 x £500 £3,000.00 in addition Take out frames; prepare existing openings; supply and fix doors to match original (if details can be located) make nr 6 x £600 £3,600.00 good reveals in addition Take out frames; prepare existing openings; supply and fix doors to match original (if details can be located) make nr 6 x £600 £3,600.00 good reveals in addition Construct verandah to match original (if details can be located) to original structure Sum £2,500.00 Construct verandah to match original (if details can be located) to addition Sum £2,500.00 Reopen locked gates, refurbish and paint Sum £1,560.00 New gravel access path from cookhouse to reopened gate Sum £3,000.00 Main building - barracks (external) Repair and refurbish balcony and staircase railings; wire brush/derust; repaint Sum £6,000.00 Clear saplings from barrel roofs; excavate 2m strip of earth down to structure apply waterproofing, dressed up m2 120 x £100 £12,000.00 chimneys and parapet; reinstate excavated soil Patch repair/relay asphalt to veranda; dressed around railings Sum £5,000.00 Repair/refurbish original windows and doors Sum £13,000.00 Open up boarded windows and replace to match existing m2 12 x £600 £7,200.00 Main building - barracks (internal) Treat damp on barrel vaults after waterproofing; redecorate locally Sum £5,000.00 Allow the provisional sum of £ 5,000.00 to repair timber floorboards and structure as required Sum £5,000.00 Treat graffiti as required Sum £1,000.00 Gatehouse (external) Clear vegetation around and from walls Sum £2,000.00 Grub up tree near wall; clear off site Sum £1,000.00 Treat graffiti Sum £500.00 Gatehouse (doors/windows) Open up boarded windows and replace to match existing nr 2 x £500 £1,000.00 Open up boarded doors and replace to match existing nr 2 x £600 £1,200.00

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Schedule of Works to be Considered: Woodland Fort

Fort walls Allow the provisional sum of £ 5,000.00 to rake out and repoint as required Sum £5,000.00 Reset and repoint stone copings Sum £1,000.00

Caponiers Allow the provisional sum of £ 8,000.00 to secure the openings against trespass sum £8,000.00

Cumulative Works Total £178,620.00

Preliminaries 15% £26,800.00 Contingencies 11.5% £20,500.00 Professional fees (Architects, heritage, quantity surveyors, structural engineers etc) 20% £36,150.00

Estimated Costs for Woodland Fort £262,070.00

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Plymouth Palmerston Forts Individual Site Statement: Knowles Battery

Prepared for: Plymouth City Council and English Heritage

Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

6. Individual Site Statement: Knowles Battery Use and Ownership 6.6 Knowles Battery is owned by Plymouth City Council and managed History and Role by the Estates Division. The site is in use as Knowles Primary 6.1 Knowles Battery was built between 1863 and 1869 for 13 guns in School and a series of buildings have been built over the parade open battery with a single haxo-casemate, although it was probably and western rampart area. never armed. It was positioned so that the right flank enfilades the front of Woodland Fort. The fort was ‘disarmed’ in 1893, sold in 6.7 A swimming pool was constructed on the roof of the guardhouse 1930 and converted to a school in 1948 (see figure 6.1). during the 1970s and the interior of the guardhouse converted for changing rooms. The swimming pool and guardhouse are now Description disused. 6.2 The remains of the battery include the substantial gorge wall and Condition guardhouse, rampart and parts of the glacis. The school buildings have removed the western sections of the gorge beyond the 6.8 The exterior face of the gorge wall is generally in a good condition guardhouse. with only isolated areas of minor graffiti and vestiges of some cement render at lower level. The musket loops are mostly open 6.3 The gorge, guardhouse, ramparts and glacis are designated within but the embrasures within the guardhouse have been closed with the SAM. steel plates as have the sally ports. The guardhouse is secured and there is no evidence of unauthorised access. 6.4 The massive gorge wall is enfiladed to the east and west sides by the two storey guardhouse. The gorge is built of local granite 6.9 The interior of the guardhouse is in a ruinous condition with stone with dressed quoins and facing. A series of musket loops localised areas of floor collapse and propping. are located on the upper parapet and extend the full length of the gorge. Musket loops are also built at the lower level and these 6.10 The rampart and scarp are overgrown with naturalised vegetation extend partly along its length and terminated against a flat lintel and semi-mature trees and shrubs. The interior face of the stone dressed sally port. rampart is maintained as cut grass. The remains of a single gun emplacement are evident in the north east salient. 6.5 The two storey guardhouse stands forward of the gorge. The central section of the guardhouse is articulated by a tall arched panel into 6.11 W h i l s t the ditch appears to be mostly lost, there are vestigial traces which are set two upper embrasures and a single set of the stone revetment to the scarp. at the lower level. To each side there is a single embrasure at the upper level and a sally port at the lower level, each flanked Significance by single musket loops. The guardhouse is surmounted by a 6.12 The gorge wall and guardhouse retain good evidential, historical continuous parapet with musket loops. and aesthetic values demonstrating the original appearance of the

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gorge. The guardhouse is well detailed and the entire composition anticipated to provide for toilet accommodation. Existing external retains a good aesthetic. The ramparts retain a general historic doors at the upper level could be re-opened. Existing embrasures and amenity interest. The school buildings are of no historical could be re-opened to provide windows. interest. 6.19 Additional use as community changing facilities for those making Issues use of the adjacent sports pitch is also identified. The conversion of the lower level of the guardhouse for these facilities would 6.13 Maintenance and the day to day upkeep of the school buildings is require minor sub-division of the space and would likely require managed by the school on behalf of Plymouth City Council. installation of sanitary and water as well as electrical services. Existing lower level doorways should be re-opened and these 6.14 The council has a statutory obligation to maintain those parts of the would provide a means of access independent to that of the school site that are included within the scheduled area. The council have thereby retaining the integrity and security of the school. made the guardhouse secure and have undertaken some works to support the interior structure. 6.20 The provision of water and drainage to the guardhouse would be subject to detailed survey but installation is not anticipated to Condition adversely affect heritage values. 6.15 The school currently makes no use of the historic buildings.

6.16 The guardhouse is secure and disused and its interior is in a dilapidated condition. The gorge is generally in a good condition and the ramparts overgrown. There is evidence for minor vandalism.

Public Access Opportunity 6.17 The investigation process has identified an opportunity for reuse of the guardhouse as an educational resource, with a potential ‘Your Heritage’ project currently being explored. This project is specifically being designed as a means of educating school children on the function of the forts, and thus use of Knowles Battery would present a distinct advantage of the site already being able to accommodate this audience group and well as the project being consistent with the heritage values of the site (see figure 6.2).

6.18 Minor works can be anticipated to accommodate such a use. Works would include installation of services, electrical and IT as well as sanitary and water. Minor sub-division of the space would also be

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Action Plan and Conservation Policies: Knowles Battery Action Plan Lead Partner Organisation Organisation

Engage with local stakeholders to identify and facilitate opportunities for reuse of the guardhouse for educational and/ PCC Knowles Primary School or community leisure use. Pymouth Northern Forts ‘Your Heritage’ Project Local Sports Clubs Initiate archaeological building survey and record of the guardhouse. Undertake structural survey within the PCC EH guardhouse and draw up a schedule of works to repair and consolidate the structure as necessary.

Undertake survey, clearance and first fit of guardhouse to allow end user final fit. PCC EH Knowles Primary School Pymouth Northern Forts ‘Your Heritage’ Project Local Sports Clubs Maintain and manage the guardhouse, gorge and ramparts in accordance with its statutory obligations. PCC Knowles Primary School Pymouth Northern Forts ‘Your Heritage’ Project Local Sports Clubs

Conservation Policies

Policy KB1: Retention of amenity and ecological value PCC EH Survey and record archaeological remains on the rampart and scarp. Maintain and retain the ramparts and glacis in accordance with an approved ecological management plan. Works should be undertaken to consolidate areas of revetment walling

Policy KB2: Repair to Gorge wall PCC EH Cement render should be removed from the exterior face of the gorge wall. Loose coping stones should be retained and refixed using an appropriate lime based mortar.

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Action Plan and Conservation Policies: Knowles Battery Conservation Policies Continued.... Lead Organisation Partner Organisation Policy KB3: Fixing of external doors and windows PCC EH New hardwood timber doors should be fitted within existing external doorways to an approved design and made secure. New glazed windows should be inserted within existing embrasures to an approved design. Glazing to be fitted towards the rear of the opening and made secure by means of timber shutters fixed to the interior face of the wall. Musket loops and murder holes within the guardhouse to be fitted with toughened glazing fixed towards the inner face of the opening. Musket loops at the parapet to be kept open. Musket loops within the gorge wall to be retained in an open condition.

Policy KB 4: New work within Guardhouse PCC EH All new work within the guardhouse is to be reversible. No new openings are to be inserted into historic fabric. All existing historic features are to be retained. New services are to be routed in sympathy to the historic fabric.

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Schedule of Works to be Considered: Knowles Battery Guardhouse - External Walls Type Amount/Fee Estimated Fee Allow for clearing vegetation; clear off site Sum £5,000.00 Rake out and repoint stonework as required Sum £7,500.00 Reset and repoint stone copings Sum £2,500.00 Guardhouse - Roof swimming pool Drain pool and remove structure ; dispose off site and make good fabric as required Sum £7,500.00 Repair waterproofing as necessary including roof where pool removed Sum £4,000.00 Repair damage caused by damp ingress internally Sum £5,000.00 Guardhouse - Renew doors and windows Take out existing boarded windows and dispose of arisings off site nr 8 x £100 £800.00 Supply and fit secure windows to match original; painted nr 8 x £500 £4,000.00 Take out existing boarded up doors and dispose of arisings off site nr 4 x £100 £400.00 Supply and fit ventilated secure single doors and frames; painted nr 4 x £600 £2,400.00 Guardhouse - Internally Clear out debris and rubbish generally including first floor structure sum £6000.00 Excavate existing ground floor and dispose of arisings off site m2 160 x £40.00 £6400.00 New concrete floor complete to current building regulations and standards finished to receive floor finish in future (including m2 160 x £90.00 £14,400.00 blinded hardcore and insulation) Renew timber first floor joists, flooring, insulation and fireproof plasterboard ceiling m2 160 x £80.00 £12,800.00 Clean down, rake out and repoint walls as required sum £10,000.00 Fort Walls Allow for raking out and repoint stonework as necessary sum £7,500.00 Allow for raking out and resetting stone copings as required sum £3,000.00

Cumulative Works Total £99,200.00

Preliminaries 15.0% £14,880.00 Contingencies 11.5% £11,400.00 Professional fees (Architects, heritage, quantity surveyors, structural engineers etc) 20.3% £20,100.00

Estimated Costs for Knowles Battery £145,580.00 Note: Mains services have not been considered as the future user is not known

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Plymouth Palmerston Forts Individual Site Statement: Bowden Battery

Prepared for: Plymouth City Council and English Heritage

Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

7. Individual Site Statement: Bowden Battery is excluded from the scheduled area within the designated SAM for the site. History and Role 7.7 The rampart is accessed by means of a ramp at the south east 7.1 Bowden Battery was positioned to defend the valley slopes which salient and retains remains of three gun emplacements with type C it overlooks as well as the rear glacis of Crownhill Fort. It was built pivot and racers with expense magazines and covered magazines. between 1863 and 1868 and designed for 12 guns in open battery. 7.8 The rampart is mostly overgrown with part managed vegetation 7.2 The fort remained unarmed in 1885 but by 1893 six guns were on its upper slopes and un-managed naturalised vegetation on its in place. The fort was disarmed shortly after and in 1968 was lower slopes and within the ditch. The galleries at acquired by the current operators, Plymouth Garden Centre. The the north east and north west salient are approached by means site continues to operate as a successful garden centre. of steeply sloping and stepped vaulted passageways accessed by means of arched openings in the parade revetment wall. The Description vaulted passages are part blocked and the counter-scarp galleries are not accessible. 7.3 Bowden Battery comprises a fortification surrounded on all sides by rock cut ditch which has been backfilled to the gorge. The gorge wall retains musket loops along much of its length and has an Use and ownership entrance arch with the guardhouse to one side (see figure 7.1). 7.9 Bowden Battery is owned and operated by Plymouth Garden Centres Ltd (PGC) as a commercial retail garden centre. 7.4 The entrance arch retains its drawbridge mechanism and reveals, but the arch has been lost. The lower external elevations of the 7.10 Although there is an intensified use on the parade ground as retail guardhouse are obscured by backfilling of the ditch. The upper space, it is clear that the garden centre operation is unable to level with parapet remains above current ground level as do the make use of other historic components of the site. In particular, stone covered pitched roof of the two musket caponiers. the guardhouse is unusable for either commercial and storage uses and the rampart is increasingly becoming used for seasonal 7.5 The interior of the guardhouse is accessed from within the fort by storage. The rampart is also part occupied by temporary office means of an arch vaulted passage which descends to the upper accommodation. level of the guardhouse. Stone built spiral stairs located within the rear internal wall give independent access one to the lower level Condition of the guardhouse, the other to the upper parapet level. The main magazine is located to the rear of the guardhouse accessed from 7.11 The exposed face of the gorge wall is in a good condition with the lower level. minor overgrowth of ivy.

7.6 The parade of the fort is occupied by a series of structures and 7.12 The guardhouse is in a dilapidated condition with a temporary displays pertaining to the retail use of the site. This area of the fort timber board floor supported on a scaffold structure. The embrasure openings at the lower level are sealed and those at the upper level

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

are partly ventilated. The external rear face of the guardhouse is subject to the operation being commercially viable. Indeed, this exposed and the cement render is showing signs of cracking. option has been explored in the past but the planning application was refused, mainly on grounds of design and impact on the 7.13 The rampart magazines are in a fair condition though there is sightlines of the rampart (see figure 7.2). evidence for a part loss of the earth covering and subsequent cracking of the masonry structure. The gun emplacements are part 7.20 Subject to a suitable design solution, it is considered that this obscured by retail display and other temporary structures. type of facility has the capacity to present an interpretation centre the Plymouth Northern Forts collectively. It is only by telling the 7.14 The parade is extensively used for retail display within the operation story as a whole that the importance of the area and its forts of the garden centre, with a consequent loss of visual integrity and from a strategic position becomes evident. In this respect, the an adverse impact on the setting of the gorge wall and rampart. interpretation should explore the original function of Bowden Battery and its key fortification features and their importance, whilst Significance also placing Bowden Battery within the context of the Plymouth Northern Fortifications, and indeed the overall ‘Ring of Fire’. 7.15 The historic structures all retain evidential and historic values, though the aesthetic value of the guardhouse and gorge are 7.21 Due to the café setting within a commercial operation, the reduced on account of the backfilling of the ditch. interpretation boards and imagery should be conducive to casual/ incidental browsing. For the interpretation of Bowden Battery, this 7.16 Overall the legibility and aesthetic values of the fort and its should include easy-to-read boards within the café, mock-artillery structures is reduced on account of intensity of use and obstruction weaponry upon the gun emplacements, and some strategically of historic features. positioned ‘artist impressions’ of the site during its use as a 7.17 Bowden Battery is a well used facility with high communal values. fortification. For the interpretation of Plymouth’s Northern Forts and the Plymouth ‘Ring of Fire’, a combination of ‘artists impressions’ Development/Public Access Opportunity and written text should be explored to depict how the sites would have worked in combination to defend and repel either land or 7.18 Bowden Battery is currently the only fort within the northern line sea-based attacks. that has significant potential for public access for the purpose of fortification heritage interpretation. This is largely because the site 7.22 This latter aspect is an important component of the story, yet it has the greatest current capacity to support ‘visitors’. is little understood because of the fact that the forts were never called upon in this manner. The prospect of utilising Bowden 7.19 Operating as a garden centre, the site already receives 250,000 Battery to present this story is therefore regarded as a compelling visitors (i.e. garden centre customers). Although the site already opportunity. contains a modest café, there is the prospect of a larger café upon the rampart that could include visitor interpretation. This has been discussed further with the site operator, the PGC, who has indicated that it would be more than willing to consider this option

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Issues and Considerations 7.23 The cafe opportunity will require development of the site. The guardhouse is currently disused and could provide opportunity for reuse without adverse harm to heritage values. However, the investigation process has determined that the space that the guardhouse presents is unlikely to be conducive to a café. Alternative uses are not ruled out, with the prospect of using the guardhouse for either storage, office or some other ancillary use potentially reducing pressures elsewhere within the site with a consequent benefit to heritage values.

7.24 The nature of use would determine the scope of necessary works but it can be anticipated that heritage values would not be harmed. Indeed use of the guardhouse would represent an opportunity for heritage values to be better revealed and as a consequence reuse of the guardhouse should be encouraged.

7.25 The use of rampart for the cafe should be considered once more. It is understood that a previous design would have damaged the sightlines of the rampart, arguably one of the most important heritage components. However, without this sort of function, the component is largely obsolete from either a heritage or business perspective. An alternative design solution that includes structures sympathetic to the fort, the sightlines of the rampart, and that would facilitate interpretation of the heritage components should therefore be sought.

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Action Plan and Conservation Policies: Bowden Battery Action Plan Lead Partner Organisation Organisation

Survey and record archaeological remains on the rampart. Undertake survey of counter scarp galleries and report on PCC EH condition, and prepare as part of overall management plan a scope of works to maintain their condition and security. PGC Review and update existing conservation management plan to include provision for repair and use of the guardhouse PCC EH and repair to rampart structures. PGC Site owners, English Heritage and the Local Planning Authority to work towards agreeing a masterplan use for the site PCC EH including provision of a café and heritage interpretation centre. PGC Plymouth Garden Centres Ltd to identify a beneficial use for the guardhouse. PCC EH PGC

Conservation Policies

Policy BB1: Retention of amenity and ecological value PGC PCC EH Plymouth Garden Centres to be assisted in maintaining and retaining the ramparts, ditch and glacis in accordance with an approved ecological management plan. Policy BB2: Conservation Management Plan PGC PCC EH Plymouth Garden Centres Ltd to be assisted in updating and reviewing its existing conservation management plan, with a specific requirement to identify the heritage value and condition of historic assets. This should include proposals for their conservation and management in the context of future potential proposals for development and growth of the commercial and retail business through heritage. Policy BB3: Reuse of Historic Buildings PGC EH PCC Proposals for the reuse of historic buildings, including the guardhouse will be encouraged where these retain heritage values and bring about conservation of the asset. Policy BB4: New Development PGC EH PCC New buildings within the scheduled area should only be approved if the development cannot be accommodated within existing historic structures. New buildings are to be designed and located sympathetic to the heritage values of the site. New development should only be approved if it sustains, reveals, and brings forward to the public a broader range of the heritage values of the site.

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Schedule of Works to be Considered: Bowden Battery Guardhouse Type Amount/Fee Estimated Fee Remove ivy and repoint externally where necessary Sum £5,000.00 Remove decayed rendering; rebed stones as necessary; rerender as specified; parapet stone protection to render Sum £5,000.00 Waterproof horizontal surfaces as specified including lookout platform Sum £4,000.00 Remove soil from barrel roof; waterproof with welded butyl pond liner turned up wall with block dwarf protection wall; to detail m2 110m2 x £55 £6,050.00 Prepare and patch repair mastic asphalt upstands and steps; coat with solar reflecting paint Sum £2,500.00 Clear out debris internally and dispose off site Sum £2,000.00 New concrete floor complete, to current building regulations and standards to previous detail m2 110m2 x £90 £9,900.00 Rebuild intermediate timber floors m2 110m2 x £80 £8,800.00 Remove temporary scaffolding off site sum £1,000.00 Patch repair internslly and repoint as required sum £5,000.00 Doors and Windows Break out existing windows openings and dispose of arisings off site (say) nr 6 x £100 £600.00 Supply and fit secure windows to match original; painted; security grilles nr 6 x £600 £3,600.00 Take out existing door and dispose of arisings off site nr 1 x £100 £100.00 Supply and fit ventilated secure single doors and frames; painted nr 1 x £600 £600.00 Excavate to provide a lightwell to lower windows around walls with retaining walls, ground level security grille, cement rendered; m 30 x £300 £9,000.00 1.50m deep North Rampart Structures Allow the provisional sum of £ 5,000.00 for repair, rake out and repoint East gun emplacement sum £5,000.00 Allow the provisional sum of £ 5,000.00 for repair, rake out and repoint South gable of artillery store and reform earth embankment sum £5,000.00

Main Wall Remove ivy growth as required and dispose off sites sum £6,000.00 Allow the provisional sum of £ 2,500.00 for repair, rake out and repoint coping stones sum £2,500.00

Cumulative Works Total £81,650.00

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Schedule of Works to be Considered: Bowden Battery

Preliminaries 15.0% £12,250.00 Contingencies 11.5% £9,390.00 Professional fees (Architects, heritage, quantity surveyors, structural engineers etc) 20.3% £16,550.00

Estimated Costs for Bowden Battery £119,840.00 The above costings are based upon the schedule of works prepared by Chris Wright Associates Consulting Engineers, on behalf of The Plymouth Garden Centre Ltd . These works provide for the water- proofing of the guardhouse and construction of new timber floors and preparation for final fit.

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Plymouth Palmerston Forts Individual Site Statement: Fort Austin

Prepared for: Plymouth City Council and English Heritage

Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

8. Individual Site Statement: Fort Austin each side. The guard chambers project forward of the entrance arch to enfilade the gorge with both and musket. The History and Position guard chambers are at two levels linked at lower level beneath the carriageway. Stone circular stairs project from the rear elevation 8.1 Fort Austin was located to command the Forder Valley. It was and these also lead up to an internal musket gallery at parapet designed as part of the integrated fortified positions comprising level. The gatehouse has been used as a command centre in Bowden Battery, Forder Battery and Eggbuckland Keep. The fort recent years and evidence for this including new work and services was completed by 1868 and was designed for 15 guns in open is present throughout the structure. battery. The fort was initially unarmed but in 1885 was supplied with four RML guns. The fort was disarmed shortly after. 8.7 The parade is built over by a number brick built structures that house offices and workshops. Some of these buildings particularly those 8.2 During and World War II, Fort Austin was used by the against the north rampart and perhaps also the main reception Devon and Cornwall Auxiliary Unit. It was released by the MoD in block date to the 1940’s when the site was used by the Devon and 1958 and has been with PCC since that time. Currently, the site Cornwall Auxiliary Unit. is occupied by Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) as a supplies depot. 8.8 A ramped access now in tarmac leads from the west side of the parade to the rampart. The surface of the rampart has been Description scraped away and laid to tarmac. Within the rampart are the remains and vestigial traces of a series of open gun positions 8.3 The fort comprises a gorge wall with gatehouse, ramparts and a some of which are obscured by temporary buildings. . rock cut ditch with counter-scarp gallery. There is an extensive glacis to the north and east sides. The fort is approached from the 8.9 The lower slopes of the rampart and the ditch are overgrown but military road which runs alongside the gorge wall and continues are accessible from the public footpath that adjoins the Forder southwards towards Efford and Laira Fort (see figure 8.1). Valley Local Nature Reserve.

8.4 The ditch in front of the gorge has been removed but elsewhere is 8.10 Mortar pits, shallow depressions close to the base of the rampart retained and is particularly well preserved to the front face showing are evident at the eastern side of the fortification with access traces both of original rock cut and masonry revetment. from off the Chemin de Rondes. The battery on the north salient is accessed from a vaulted passage that leads down from the 8.5 The gorge wall is provided with musket loops to the parapet with rampart. A further arched portal leads to the counter-scarp galley dressed stone quoins and coping. The Chemion de Rondes was in the north east salient. accessed from the gatehouse and is currently also accessible from the public footpath. 8.11 The counter-scarp gallery is a two storey structure that enfilades the east and north sides of the ditch. It is provided with both musket 8.6 The gatehouse is now blocked but comprises a central arched loops and gun embrasures. entrance way with brick vaulted passage with guard chambers to

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Ownership and use 8.17 The gatehouse is disused but retains good evidential and historical values in its fabric and along with Knowles Battery, Woodland 8.12 Following disposal in 1958 the site became the property of the PCC Fort and Bowden Battery, represents a good example of such a and was initially used as the City Engineers Dept and workshops. structure. The property is still retained by the PCC but is now leased to PCH as their maintenance depot and workshops. However, PCH are due 8.18 Other structures within the parade date to World War II. These to leave the site within the near future as they look to consolidate buildings are of a standard form of construction. Although a their operations. detailed interior inspection has not been made of all buildings, it is unlikely that any retain a particular significance to differentiate Condition them from the mass of buildings of these periods. 8.13 The rampart structures are generally in a poor condition and there is widespread evidence for fabric loss, particularly upon the rampart Development Opportunity which has lost all of its earthen covering. As a consequence, the 8.19 A change in the current use of Fort Austin is expected in the near gun positions have also experienced loss of fabric and several of future with the current occupiers, PCH, actively seeking new the positions have been built over obscuring their functional and premises. physical connection with the rampart. 8.20 The investigation process has identified the option of presenting 8.14 The gatehouse is disused and its condition has deteriorated Fort Austin as workspace for either the arts or digital media (or as a result. The building does, however, retain a structural and both) represent the most feasible solutions, with potential partner architectural integrity despite a loss of soft fabric. organisations identified. However, both of these user groups will require some ‘adaptation’ of the site and its facilities to better 8.15 The gorge wall, ditch, mortar pits and counter-scarp gallery are accommodate their needs. For example digital media will require all in a generally good condition. The counter-scarp gallery is, the latest generation in Information Communication Technologies however, showing signs of vandalism and unauthorised access. (ICT), particularly high-speed, fibre optic Internet connection; and Access to these features is not difficult and the portal arches and the industrial arts will require the retention and potential adaptation vaulted passages remain open. of the workshops and storage spaces. It is also important that sustainability measures such as waste reduction, energy reduction, Significance and green technologies are incorporated into any re-development 8.16 The fort retains a general historic value common to all the forts proposals; as is the need to relieve pressure on the historic fabric that make up the northern fortifications. However, loss of fabric of the site itself (see figure 8.2). and development of the parade, especially in the years after the war has resulted in a loss of overall significance pertaining to each 8.21 It is beyond the scope of this study to examine these site specific of the gun positions. The counterscarp gallery, musket pits and issues in more detail. As such, it is recommended that these issues tunnels represent features of greater significance arising from their now be pursued through a partnership approach to examine the unique nature within the group.

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implications for the site, the uses and the PCC as owners. Key 8.25 It should be noted that access to these features is a unique issues that will need to be addressed are: opportunity at Fort Austin. Similar access to these features in the other forts are not easy on account of the difficult terrain and • types of activity envisaged, the spaces required, and the likely waterlogged conditions that normally occur within the ditch. terms of contract (either for the end-user or the operator should this be an option); 8.26 However, if the counter-scarp gallery and ditch were to be made • options for combined arts and digital media use, and implications accessible there does need to be some consideration of safety. for the ‘market’ in terms of compatibility; There is also potential for vandalism and unauthorised access to the interior of structures. It would be most likely that the counter- • requirements for conversion or adaptation of existing structures; scarp gallery and portals would need to be closed. Access to the • requirements for relieving pressure on historic fabric of the site base of the ditch could be effected by forming a series of steps and restoring certain key heritage features; and in that part of the ditch nearby the gallery which has clearly been backfilled and is currently used as a means of access by those • requirements for integrating community access. gaining entry to the gallery. Other Issues and Considerations Nature conservation 8.22 As previously highlighted, Fort Austin is directly adjacent to the Forder Valley Local Nature Reserve. The reserve is characterised by semi-natural broadleaved woodland and scrub. This extends to the slopes of the glacis.

8.23 As such, the fort affords good connectivity from a network of footpaths and trails. These trails also provide access to the key parts of the fort that have significant heritage value, including the rampart, ditch and counter-scarp gallery. Consideration should, therefore, be given to utilising Fort Austin as a gateway to the Forder Valley Local Nature Reserve.

Accessibility 8.24 Whereas there is currently no public access to areas within the fort, the proximity of the Local Nature Reserve is permitting access to the lower slopes of the rampart, the Chemin de Rondes the mortar pits, the ditch and counter-scarp gallery.

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Action Plan and Conservation Policies: Fort Austin Action Plan Lead Partner Organisation Organisation

Continue to engage with potential organisations and end users of Fort Austin (arts and digital media) to determine PCC EH adaptation measures with a view to securing site investment Plymouth College of Arts Formation Zone Flameworks Artists (industrial) Digital Media Groups Consider linkages between Fort Austin and Forder Valley Local Nature Reserve, with the fort potentially providing a PCC EH gateway to the LNR. In addition, a perimeter trail around ditch and counter scarp gallery could also be included to Plymouth Wildlife Trust provide interpretation of the chemin de rondes and mortar pits. Conservation Organisa- tions Natural England Associated with the above, consider safety implications, including the closure of the counter-scarp gallery and portals PCC EH and creating a series of steps to the base of the ditch. Plymouth Wildlife Trust Conservation Organisa- tions Natural England

Conservation Policies

Policy FA1: Retention of amenity and ecological value PCC EH Natural England Maintain and retain the ramparts, ditch and glacis in accordance with an approved ecological management plan and Plymouth Wildlife Trust in conjunction with the management of the Forder Valley LNR. Local Conservation Vol- Initiate a bat survey to determine potential presence of bats within counter-scarp gallery and passage ways. unteers Policy FA2: Works to Counter-scarp Gallery PGC PCC EH Initiate a programme of archaeological recording and survey of the counter-scarp gallery and mortar pit areas including all passage ways and galleries. The counter-scarp gallery and all galleries and passageways to be cleared of all debris and rubbish infill. All external embrasure openings within the counter-scarp gallery to be secured by means of secure shuttering or blocking up to approved designs. Musket loops to remain open to provide for natural ventilation and movement of bats. All external portals including those within the mortar pit to be fitted with secure doors to an approved design. All doors are to be fitted to the inside of the arch and ventilated.

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Action Plan and Conservation Policies: Fort Austin Conservation Policies Continued Lead Partner Organisation Organisation Policy FA3: Public Access and Safety PCC EH Natural England The Counter-scarp gallery, ditch, mortar pits and chemin de rondes should be incorporated within a heritage trail Plymouth Wildlife Trust extension to the existing Forder Valley Local Nature Reserve and public access encouraged. Local Conservation Vol- Consideration should be given to public safety. Stepped access will be required to gain access to the north east unteers mortar pit. Steps should not be cut into the rampart slope nor disturb the revetment wall. Stepped access to the counter-scarp gallery at the base of the ditch is to be effected by cutting and construction of stairs within the existing area of non-historic ditch backfill.

Policy FA4: Works to Gatehouse PCC All new work within the gatehouse is to be reversible. No new openings are to be inserted into historic fabric. All existing historic features are to be retained. New services are to be routed in sympathy to the historic fabric. Existing stairs are to be retained. Embrasures are to be opened and glazed to an approved design and provided with secured internal timber shutters. Policy FA5: Works to rampart PCC EH Temporary buildings and Portakabins erected over or alongside gun positions to be removed. All exposed concrete facings to gun positions are to be repaired to match existing. The exposed ‘front’ face of all positions is to be consolidated and, in consultation with English Heritage an earthen bank to be erected in order to restore historic character.

Policy FA6: Buildings within the Parade PCC EH Development of new buildings to be erected with benefit of all statutory consents and approvals and permitted only where intended use can not be accommodated within existing structures. All new buildings are to be of a single storey height and sympathetic in design to historic character.

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Plymouth City Council Plymouth Palmerston Forts: Stage C - Strategic Summary and Individual Site Statements

Schedule of Works to be Considered: Fort Austin Type Amount/Fee Estimated Fee Guardhouse Strip out existing sanitary fittings etc, supply piping and wastes, machinery and debris; dispose off site; disconnect and seal Sum £10,000.00 drains and supply piping Internal Treat damp ingress and make good structure as required Sum £5,000.00 Doors and Windows Break out existing windows openings and dispose of arisings off site (say) nr 22 x £100 £2,200.00 Supply and fit secure windows to match original; painted (say) nr 22 x £500 £11,000.00 Take out existing doors/fanlight and dispose of arisings off site nr 1 x £100 £100.00 Supply and fit ventilated secure single doors and frames; painted nr 1 x £600 £600.00 Walls Strip off vegetation and dispose off site sum £4,000.00 Site Works Make good site boundary fencing as necessary sum £2,000.00 Allow the provisional sum of £ 10,000.00 for vegetation management to the ramparts and rake out and repoint fort walls sum £10,000.00 Caponiers

Allow the provisional sum of £ 8,000.00 to secure the openings against trespass sum £8,000.00

Cumulative Works Total £52,900.00

Preliminaries 15.0% £7,935.00 Contingencies 11.5% £6,100.00 Professional fees (Architects, heritage, quantity surveyors, structural engineers etc) 20.3% £10,700.00

Estimated Costs for Bowden Battery £77,635.00

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